PORTLAND, Ore. — All it took was a moment of hesitation for Orlando City midfielder Robinho to change the course of the game on Thursday night in Portland.
Flashing up the right flank of the field in the 44th minute, Robinho went one-on-one with Timbers defender Zarek Valentin, who thought he succeeded in kicking the ball out of bounds. But Robinho doggedly kept on the ball, tugging it away as the defender stooped over to pick it up for a throw-in.
Darting away, the midfielder immediately whipped a cross into the box. When the ball deflected awkwardly off a Portland defender, it bounced directly to the feet of Santiago Patiño, and the rookie rocketed a shot into the net without hesitation.