Chivas USA 0-2 Portland Timbers: Meet Fanendo Adi

May 24, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry (14) congratulates Portland Timbers forwrad Fanendo Adi (99) after the Timbers defeated the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. The Timbers defeated the Red Bulls 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Fanendo Adi, take a bow. The new man on loan from F.C. Copenhagen scored his first brace in Major League Soccer, opening his account in a big way to help Caleb Porter’s Portland Timbers shut out Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA, 2-0, at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for Wednesday night’s match between Chivas USA and the Portland Timbers.

1. Chippy play early in first half

Early on in the first half, Bobby Burling was shaken up in the fourth minute of play, forcing Edvin Jurisevic to give Portland defender Fanendo Adi a talking to. Caleb Porter, in true Portland fashion, sported a beard. Danny O’Rourke was given a caution in the eighth minute for a sliding challenge on Martin Rivero.

Chivas, on the other hand, was playing with a handicap as most of the usual Portland starters were out, i.e. Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri, Maxi Urruti, Jack Jewsbury, Pa Modou Kah, Michael Harrington and Steve Zakuani. Marco Delgado was cautioned in the 10th minute for a sliding challenge on Diego Chara. A shot from Adi in the 15th minute was saved by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

2. Match settles down midway through first half

The match settled down midway through the first half, with the strength of both teams on showcase. Erick Torres and Agustin Pelletieri elected to play a little bit more aggressive early on. Pelletieri was cautioned in the 28th minute for a shirt pull. Will Johnson, who did get the start, was trying his best to pursuade the Jurisevic for a slew of calls in Portland’s favor. He had a shot in the 29th minute miss to the right off a free kick.

3. Portland take their best shots late in first

A chance for Eric Avila in the 35th minute was poorly handled. Michael Nanchoff’s first attempt in the 36th minute was saved by Kennedy. Mauro Rosales’s first free kick in the 39th minute off a Futty Danso foul was cleared. Gaston Fernandez tried his luck in the 41st minute but missed wide left. Nanchoff’s next attempt in the 42nd was snatched up by Kennedy. All in all, this was a quiet first half, marked by a number of good chances on goal but nothing to show for it due to Porter playing the scrubs.

First Half Summary Chivas USA vs. Portland
0 Corners 0
0 Missed Chances 0
24 Duels Won 26
10 Tackles Won 4
3 Saves 0
10 Clearances 8
1 Offsides 1
8 Fouls 7
2 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

4. Chivas make their move in second half

Early on in the second half, Carlos Alvarez was brought in for Delgado at the break to add an offensive spark. Both teams were having it tough to find that spark, electing to engage in a midfield battle. In the 51st minute, Rosales has an attempt blocked by Danso. A chance for Leandro Barrera was cleared by O’Rourke in the 54th minute. Rosales and Portland’s Gaston Fernandez got into a collision seconds late. The ensuing set piece was cleared, then butchered by Avila in the 56th minute. Nagbe was on the bench, however, and he came in for Nanchoff in the 58th minute. Chivas’s Martin Rivero had an attempt sail wide left in the 59th minute.

5. Adi opens up his scoring account

Kristopher Tyrpak came in for Barrerra in the 61st minute to add another offensive spark for the Goats. A Rosales corner in the 63rd minute was cleared. In the 64th minute, a free kick from Rosales was punched aside by Ricketts. Adi finally got on the scoresheet in the 65th minute for the Timbers thanks to Nagbe and former Chivas USA swingman Jorge Villafaña.

That bought enough time for Valeri to finally enter the pitch for Fernandez in the 68th minute. Meanwhile, Ryan Finley, who had a solid shift for the Chivas USA Reserves earlier in the week, came in for Pelletieri in the 69th for one more offensive spark. Adi scored his first-ever brace in Major League Soccer in the 71st minute thanks to a through ball from Valeri. Everybody was sleeping in the back, and Adi drove the ball through as if it was an Audi.

6. Chivas play down a man and out

Finley nearly got one to go through in the 79th minute but made a meal of it. He did win a corner, but it was collected by Ricketts. Rauwshan McKenzie came in for Paparatto in the 78th minute to help preserve the shutout. Burling was send off for a harsh push in the 84th minute that sent Adi flying. Avila also sent Adi flying in the 86th minute.

By this point, it was clear that Adi had broken the Goats. Chivas were reduced to hacking any way possible as Portland opted to see the match off by dominating possession. A cross from Johnson failed to find Adi in the second minute of second half stoppage time. McKenzie was cautioned in the third minute of stoppage time for a foul outside the box. A free kick from Erick Torres was punched out by Ricketts in the fourth minute of stoppage time and the ensuing corner was collected. Carlos Bocanegra gave Adi the “don’t argue” late, conceded a free kick that was taken short.

Team Statistics

Chivas USA in red, Portland Timbers in green

Chivas USA Player Ratings

Dan Kennedy 2, Eric Avila 3, Bobby Burling 1, Donny Toia 2, Agustin Pelletieri 2.5, Martin Rivero 4, Mauro Rosales 5, Marco Delgado 2.5, Leandro Barrera 3, Erick Torres 3, Carlos Alvarez 3.5, Kristopher Tyrpak 4, Ryan Finley 3

Portland Timbers Player Ratings

Donovan Ricketts 7, Danny O’Rourke 6.5, Mamadou Danso 6, Norberto Paparatto 5, Jorge Villafaña 8, Will Johnson 6, Diego Chara 6, Kalif Alhassan 6, Gaston Fernandez 5, Michael Nanchoff 7, Fanendo Adi 10, Darlington Nagbe 5, Diego Valeri 7, Raushan McKenzie 3.5