Minnesota survives Timbers for scoreless draw

The host Portland Timbers and Minnesota United played to a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon in a key Major League Soccer Western Conference match.

The Timbers were shut out at home for the third straight game despite forcing Loons goalkeeper Vito Mannone into 12 saves.

An apparent handball in the box in the 87th minute by a Minnesota defender wasn't called nor reviewed with replay technology, and Mannone then saved a header off a corner kick. At the other end, Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark denied Kevin Molino's breakaway to keep the game scoreless.

The Timbers had to make a substitution early in the game after midfielder Andres Flores took a high boot from a teammate to just under his eye.…