An own goal by the Portland Timbers allowed D.C. United to escape Providence Park with a 1-0 victory. Here are three things we learned.
On Sunday, at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Timbers took on D.C. United in an MLS regular-season matchup. D.C. United were able to come away with a hard-earned 1-0 victory, with the only goal scored in the game coming in the 25th minute, an own goal from Portland’s Bill Tuiloma.
With the win, D.C. United move to 12-10-9 on the season and have now won two consecutive matches. A short-staffed Timbers side drops to 13-12-4 on the season, including four defeats at home, which is a great surprise given the raucous atmosphere at Providence Park.
Here are three things we learned from this rain-filled match in the Pacific Northwest.
3. Fernandez, Blanco absence disastrous
24-year-old Designated Player Brian Fernandez has been dealing with a stomach virus. He was able to overcome it last weekend, scoring a goal off the bench for the Timbers but was not able to go against D.C. United this weekend. Fernandez has been an impact player for Portland in the 2019 season, scoring 11 goals in 16 games and acting as the focal point of the Timbers attack. Portland did pressure at times the D.C. United backline but lacked that final touch Fernandez could have provided. Portland is 9-4-3 in games Fernandez has appeared in this season.
Another notable absentee for the Timbers on Saturday was forward Sebastian Blanco, who missed the match to be with his wife who had just given birth the night prior. The winger has appeared and started in 24 matches this season scoring four goals and recording 10 assists. His assists rank second on the team to Diego Valeri’s 16.
It was a tough break for Portland to be without two of their better offensive options but they will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they host the New York Red Bulls. Nevertheless, their prospects are bleak without Fernandez and Blanco, with depth a worrying issue.