The Portland Timbers spent the last six days surrounded by reasons to fall in San Jose. By week’s end, there were nine of them. That’s how many players were listed as “Out” on the team’s injury report, leaving a depleted group to venture south for tonight’s match against the Earthquakes – a team that entered the weekend second in MLS’s Western Conference.
Somewhere along the line, the Timbers moved beyond excuses. The team’s strong start said as much, as did the final result. Leading from the fifth minute on, Portland got goals from Yimmi Chara and Marvin Loría, as well as a pair of assists from Eryk Williamson, and claimed their second win of the MLS season, overcoming the absence of one-third of their squad to win at PayPal Park, 2-0.