Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MONTREAL (AP) — Nat Borchers and Diego Valeri scored in the second half to help the Portland Timbers beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 on Saturday.
Borchers opened the scoring in the 64th minute, and Valeri gave Portland (3-3-4) a 2-0 lead in the 70th.
"I thought their performance was really professional," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "In the first half, we managed the game extremely well, limited their chances and kept the game tight. We knew that in the second half, being that they were at home, we would find more chances because they would be eager to score."
Dominic Oduro scored for Montreal (0-3-2) in the 71st.
The Impact appeared to tie it in the 78th, but Jack McInerney's headed goal was disallowed. After initially calling it a good goal, referee Mark Geiger changed his decision after checking with his linesman. McInerney seemingly pushed a defender just prior to scoring.
"It's unacceptable when you're at home," Montreal goalkeeper Even Bush said about the loss. "It was hot here during the first half, so maybe some guys were a little bit tired, but at the same time, the other team is playing in the same conditions. It's no excuse for us and we have to figure out a way to come out stronger."
Borchers scored on an easy tap-in header after goalkeeper Evan Bush made the initial save off forward Fanendo Adi. With the goal, Borchers ended Portland's goal drought at 281 minutes.
"It felt good. Obviously, we've been frustrated on the offensive side not getting goals," Portland's Jack Jewsbury said. "To be able to score two goals on the road was very important, especially since this month we're pretty much on the road."
Back from an ACL tear and making his first start of the season, Valeri curled a shot out of Bush's reach to put the Timbers up 2-0.
"I'm happy about the goal and the win. We wanted to get three points and we did it. Now we have another hard game in Houston. We will enjoy this, rest up and train next week," said Valeri, the team's top goal scorer last season.
The Timbers travel to Texas next weekend to face the Houston Dynamo.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
