TUCSON, Ariz. – Playing their third preseason match of the 2019 campaign, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky, the Portland Timbers opened play in the 2019 Mobile Mini Sun Cup, recording a 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders FC at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. Diego Valeri and Jeremy Ebobisse each tallied their first goals of the preseason as the Timbers registered their third win of the preseason.

Preseason progression

After two matches in Costa Rica, the Timbers traveled to Tucson to continue training and play four additional preseason matches as part of the Mobile Mini Sun Cup. In their first match in Tucson, the Timbers first group played 60 minutes, while the second group featured for 30 minutes in the match. In total, 22 players saw action in the team’s first match in Tucson.

Notes

Portland has scored nine goals in three preseason matches thus far, receiving goals from seven different players with the additions of Valeri and Ebobisse in Wednesday’s game. Additionally, Dairon Asprilla recorded his second assist of the preseason.

Key plays

The Timbers nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Leading the break, Lucas Melano played the ball out wide on the left side to Sebastián Blanco surging down the field. Blanco delivered a cross into the center of the box that was deflected and Valeri pounced, sending a shot over the crossbar.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Marlon Vargas dribbled down the right side to the end line and played a cross into the box. The cross took a deflection and popped straight up in the air, dropping at the back post for Handwalla Bwana, who deposited a header into the back of the net from close range.

After the Timbers earned a penalty kick in the 39th minute when Andy Polo was fouled inside the box, Valeri stepped to the spot and converted in the 40th minute to level the match at 1-1.

Halftime here in Tucson!



It's 1-1 at the break thanks to this clinical penalty kick finish from @DiegoDv8. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/LlYNeQZRBj — Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) February 14, 2019

Working down the right side of the field, Marvin Loría and Asprilla linked up to generate a scoring chance for Portland in the 68th minute. Combining near the edge of the box, Loría delivered a back-heel pass into space for Asprilla, and he fired a shot from the edge of the box high of the target.

Tomás Conechny came close to notching a second goal for the Timbers in the 81st minute. Receiving the ball outside the box, Conechny unleashed a long-range strike that went just over the crossbar.

In the 88th minute, Roy Miller slotted a pass from near the left corner to Asprilla, running to the edge of the box. Asprilla dribbled around a Seattle player and played a low, hard pass across the face of goal to Ebobisse for the finish near the goal line to give Portland a 2-1 lead.

Next game

In their second game of the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, the Timbers square off against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Feb.16; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific) with a live stream available at www.timbers.com. To purchase tickets to the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, click here.

Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS Preseason)

Feb. 13, 2019 – Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, Ariz.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Timbers 1 1 2

Seattle Sounders FC 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

SEA: Bwana (Vargas), 32

POR: Valeri (penalty kick), 40

POR: Ebobisse (Asprilla), 88

Discipline Summary:

SEA: A. Roldan (caution), 36

SEA: Vargas (caution), 50

POR: Flores (caution), 90

Lineups:

First 60:

POR: Attinella, Valentin, Mabiala, Cascante, Villafaña, Guzmán, Paredes, Polo, Valeri, Blanco, Melano

Last 30:

POR: Clark, Farfan, Tuiloma, Dielna, Miller*, Flores, Chara, Asprilla, Loría, Conechny, Ebobisse

* Indicates Timbers guest player/trialist

SEA: Meredith (Muse, 74), Wingo (VanAlstine*, 74), Delem (Atencio+, 74), Campbell (Berkolds*, 74), McCrary (Nouhou, 74), Leyva+, A. Roldan (Rydstrand*, 74), Vargas+ (Gonzalez+, 58’), Shipp (Robles+, 74), Bwana (Serrano+, 74), Bruin (Diaz+, 74)

+ Player currently signed to USL roster, * Sounders FC Academy player, ^ Guest player