With eyes on a midweek US Open Cup semifinal against Chicago Fire on Wednesday and a showdown with New England Revolution next weekend, Jim Curtin handed starting minutes to a number of players that have spent most of the season coming off the bench. Derrick Jones and Warren Creavalle patrolled the center behind Borek Dockal, and Marcus Epps and Fabian Herbers supported CJ Sapong along the front line. Jack Elliott returned to the lineup in place of Mark McKenzie while Fabinho spelled Ray Gaddis on the left side of the back line and wore the captain’s armband.
The Timbers play a ferociously intense counterattacking style that limits penetration through the middle, and the first half was a battle to create central penetration.