A first-half own goal was the difference as D.C. United defeated the Portland Timbers, 1-0, at a rain-soaked Providence Park Sunday afternoon.
In the 25th minute, Ulises Segura, wearing the unfamiliar, nameless No. 32 jersey because blood stained his usual kit, sent a cross just inside the six-yard box. Bill Tuiloma slid in to intercept, but directed the ball into his own net.
D.C. had shouts for a second goal before halftime when Wayne Rooney’s in-swinging corner kick went off Paul Arriola’s back and then caromed off goalkeeper Steve Clark and rolled toward the goal. Eryk Williamson looked to clear the ball off the line, but replays appeared to show the ball was behind the line when the Timbers midfielder booted the ball away.
The Timbers, playing without Sebastian Blanco (left lower leg injury) and Brian Fernandez (stomach bug), twice hit the woodwork, with Diego Valeri heading the ball off the post in the 16th minute. Jorge Moreira’s floated cross toward the back post in the second half caromed off the crossbar.
Arriola had a golden chance to put the game away in the 82nd minute, but his open shot went off Clark's hand and the post for a corner.
Goals
- 25’ — DC — Bill Tuiloma (own goal) | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Ben Olsen’s reaction at the final whistle — emphatically pumping his fists — told the importance of these three points for D.C. United, their second consecutive away from Audi Field. They are now in fifth place in the East, inching ever closer to an all-important home playoff game. The Timbers saw a modest two-match winning streak end as they sit in sixth, perilously close to the playoff line.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: it’s more like moments plural as the Timbers will rue their luck, or lack thereof on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Twice they hit the woodwork — the first by Valeri would have put them in front. This crossbar carom would have leveled.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: in a game of near goals and an own goal, Frederic Brilliant was stellar in central defense for D.C. United. He had seven clearances, including four headed, won four tackles and four aerial duels won to help secure the clean sheet.
Next Up
- POR: Wednesday, September 18 vs. New York Red Bulls (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
- DC: Sunday, September 22 vs. Seattle Sounders FC (8:00 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
