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MLS: Top 5 performances from Week 24’s midweek slate

By Matt Coles

PORTLAND, OR - JUNE 30: Portland Timbers forward Brian Fernández celebrates his goal during the Portland Timbers 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on June 30, 2017, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR - JUNE 30: Portland Timbers forward Brian Fernández celebrates his goal during the Portland Timbers 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on June 30, 2017, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /
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PORTLAND, OR – AUGUST 14: Brian Fernández scores the home team’s third goal, second to his count, during the Portland Timbers 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire on August 14, 2017, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR – AUGUST 14: Brian Fernández scores the home team’s third goal, second to his count, during the Portland Timbers 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire on August 14, 2017, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /

1. Brian Fernandez

What an impact this man has had on the Portland Timbers’ 2019 campaign. Having only made the move to MLS from Necaxa in May, Brian Fernandez now has 10 goals in 12 games for Portland. The Argentinian struck twice on Wednesday, as he took the game out of reach from the Chicago Fire, who, despite a spirited late charge, left Providence Park empty-handed.

Portland had taken an early lead through Jorge Moreira’s effort, with Fernandez doubling their tally with just twenty minutes gone, somehow bundling the ball over the line with a fortunate finish off both his heels from the edge of the six-yard box.

Fernandez then stepped up with three minutes to play, bagging his second of the night with a curling shot into the far corner after a dangerous Portland counter-attack. He showed good positioning and awareness to drift clear of the defence, find acres of space on the right flank, before coolly slotting home the finish.

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With the victory, Portland move into the playoff places and now sit in seventh spot, a point ahead of FC Dallas and the dreaded red line. And with Fernandez averaging just under a goal a game, he will continue to be the key man as the Cascadian side look for a second-straight MLS Cup final appearance.

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