Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri ran into the box and waited for Diego Chara's cross. When it came, he fired a right-footed shot into the corner of the net before immediately pointing at Chara and running to the sideline to embrace the Colombian midfielder in a big hug.

With the goal Friday, Valeri tied the Timbers' all-time club record in career goals scored with 51 and matched his previous individual record for goals in a season with 14.

But after the match, an important 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls, the humble Argentine midfielder didn't talk about his individual milestones. Instead, he focused on the importance of the victory and made sure to credit Chara with setting up the game-winning goal.

"I'm very happy about the result," Valeri told reporters. "(Chara) made a run and a great cross. The quality was unbelievable. I was looking at him and I knew he was going to play that ball. I just tried to make a movement and finished it."

Despite his humility, there is no question that Valeri has developed into the most indispensable player in Timbers history since joining the club in 2013.

Along with tying Fanendo Adi for the club's all-time goal record, Valeri has 51 career assists in Portland, just four away from tying the team's all-time assist record. Valeri's love and commitment to the Rose City has endeared him to fans as well and many supporters would be happy to see a Valeri statue outside of Providence Park.

But if this year is any indication, fans will have to wait for that statue as Valeri appears to have plenty of productive years left on the field. Despite turning 31 in May - an age where some playmakers might start to decline - Valeri is quietly putting together the best season of his MLS career. Along with tying his individual record for goals in a single season, the four-time MLS All-Star is also just five short of tying his individual record for single season assists. He leads the Timbers in both categories this year.

"We're fortunate to have a player like Valeri that we think is as good as anybody in this league," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "In this league, he's made a massive name for himself and he'll continue to rewrite the books and the records and do it in the right way on and off the pitch."

Valeri's performance on the pitch has certainly been critical to the Timbers this season.

The Timbers lead the Western Conference with 45 goals this year. Valeri has contributed directly to just over half of those goals. He has also scored four game-winners this season and added three game-winning assists. And the midfielder has been on fire in recent weeks, recording four goals and two assists in the last four games as the Timbers have gone 2-1-1 in those outings.

"Diego's playing well and he makes the team better around him," Timbers defender Zarek Valentin said. "At times, when we've needed a goal, he's come through, which is great. Hopefully, he continues to do that the rest of the season."

With eight games left in the regular season, the Timbers (10-9-7, 37 points) sit in fourth place in the tight Western Conference standings, just three points out of the top spot and just four points above the red line.

As the Timbers strive for a spot in the postseason, Valeri hopes to continue to find ways to produce. As long as he's helping his team, he's happy.

"I always try to give my best to the team," Valeri said.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg