KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It was a moment that the Portland Timbers desperately needed.
Down 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City in the deciding leg of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship at Children’s Mercy Park, Portland was trying to find a way back into the match after having been dominated for much of the first half.
In the 52nd minute, Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco, hugging the left sideline, received a pass from teammate Jorge Villafaña and sprang forward. The Argentine darted and feinted as he cut towards the middle, looked up at goal, and then fired a 35-yard blast that dipped and knuckled into the upper right corner of the Kansas City goal to tie the game at 1-1 and give Portland an all-important away goal advantage.