Timbers find breakthrough against Toronto

Zarek Valentin glances over his shoulder, looking for his approaching defender, as Larrys Mabiala rolls the ball to him on the right wing, just a couple feet past the halfway line. Valentin touches it once to gain control as he turns upfield, and then blasts a ground ball up the middle, splitting two defenders and dropping perfectly onto the run of Sebastian Blanco.

With the defense hustling back, Blanco curls his run to settle right behind the pass as it rolls into the 18 yard box, picks his head up to see the runners tearing towards goal and slots a low, gentle cross through the 6 yard box. Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin scrambles, the crowd rises in nervous anticipation, and then, the…