Chivas USA (2-3-0) used two-second half headed goals to beat the Portland Timbers 2-1 before 20,438 fans at JELD-WEN Field in Portland Saturday evening. The three points bring the Red-and-White to 6 on the season and out of the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings.
- The Timbers opened the scoring 16 minutes into the game when forward Kris Boyd fired the ball into an empty net after Dan Kennedy came out to try and meet a cross. The goal was the second goal of the season for the Timbers Irish import.
- The Goats equalized just three minutes into the second half off the forehead of Captain Alejandro Moreno, who scored his first goal of the 2012 season. Setting up the goal, and with his first assist of the season, was Ryan Smith who came off the bench as a sub at halftime.
- The Rojiblancos knocked home the game-winner in the 82nd minute, and once again Smith (second assistance) served a beautiful cross into the box—this time with Nick LaBrocca heading the ball home for his first of the year.
- The Timbers had several chances to tie the game late but Kennedy pulled several dangerous balls out of the air as the Goats closed out the game for their second road win of the season.
- · The Red-and-White now look forward to their second consecutive road match as they travel North of the border to Canada and face Toronto FC, Saturday, April 14, at 1:30 pm (PT) at BMO Field. The match will broadcast on television, live on Fox Sports West in English, and KWHY Channel 22 in Spanish. For more information about the game and for tickets, please visit cdchivasusa.com or call 1-877-CHIVAS-1. Follow us on Twitter @cdchivasusa and Facebook.com/chivasusa
THE WORD FROM THE TEAMS:
CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH – ROBIN FRASER
Thoughts on team’s second-half performance… “We made a few tactical adjustments and were able to spark the right reaction. In the second half, the group was fantastic. They played well together and I was really happy with how disciplined they played. Guys got the ball in key spots and made very important plays.”
On the atmosphere at JELD-WEN… “It’s a fantastic place to play. These environments didn’t exist when I played, and it wasn’t that long ago. So many stadiums have come up now and Portland is among the top of the list of great environments. Being here is fantastic it’s a great environment and of course it’s better when you win. This is a great environment to be in for the players and this is what soccer should be like.”
On Ryan Smith’s performance… “Smith was brilliant. He came in the second half and, right from the outset, he put his stamp on the game. He was immediately giving the right backs some problems and was looking to be a threat. In the end of the day, he got two assists and put in a number of good crosses.”
On performance in the first half… “We just didn’t play well. We didn’t connect passes, we worked hard but weren’t very efficient in the way we played. We never complained about the effort at all, but we just didn’t play well in the first half. In the second half we did a much better job.”
CHIVAS USA MIDFIELDER – RYAN SMITH
On the atmosphere at JELD-WEN Field… “I love it, it’s always been unbelievable here. Portland and Seattle are incredible. There’s just something about the Northwest.”
On team’s halftime adjustments… “We got better possession, which we found to use more wisely [in the second half]. However, in the end we came out with a win. It was a great result for us. Especially with the recent loss that we had, it was nice to see us bounce back tonight.”
CHIVAS USA FORWARD – ALEJANDRO MORENO
On the road win… “We were both coming from tough results at home. We knew they were going to be ready to play, so we knew with the environment and the atmosphere, we were going to be ready to fight back. It’s tough to get used to the surface here but we responded in the second half and got the game-winner to hang on at the end. So, we’re very happy with the result and we’ll take the win.”
On his goal… “I just floated into the box past the defender and found a good ball. I was able to rise above and snap a header into the goal. I was very happy for the team and the result and certainly it was a goal that allowed us to believe in what we are doing on the field.”
On the atmosphere at JELD-WEN… “This is a tough place to play, and it certainly makes Portland show everyone what they have. The whole environment is a pleasure for us to come in and play, I just hope that all MLS teams see what the Portland Timbers are doing as an organization. We really try and learn from what they have here both as a team and organization. The crowd really keeps you in tune of what’s going on out on the field, and if we can get a win here we know it was a great night.”
On Ryan Smith’s performance… “Ryan is a guy that has a lot of speed and quickness, and when he puts his mind to it he can make a difference for us. We want him to keep doing what he’s doing because he’s a tremendous person that displays his skills on the field. He obviously did that when he came into the game.”
PORTLAND TIMBERS HEAD COACH – JOHN SPENCER
On game’s difference maker… “Well, I think they brought in Ryan Smith, obviously tremendous ability, great speed. For me, I think our energy levels from the start of the game to the end of the game weren’t good enough; it is a very disappointing performance.”
On where the team goes from here… “We’ve got to obviously come back on Monday and get back to work. As I say, it’s a disappointment, we’re certainly looking at the last few games. It’s not going to get any easier. A few guys in there need to look at themselves tonight and ask themselves are they doing enough on and off the field.”
PORTLAND TIMBERS FORWARD – KRIS BOYD
General thoughts on match… “It’s disappointing, but we’re the ones that are trying to get ourselves out of the hole we’re in. We need to dig deep. We need to be men and stand up, and go to LA next weekend [to face LA Galaxy] and put on a performance. If we [only] keep playing 45 minutes, it’s not good enough.”
More thoughts on game… “I think you can see we’ve got quality players in here. We’ve played well, tonight for 45 minutes again, but a soccer game doesn’t last for 45 minutes. It lasts for 90 minutes. And we need to go out on the pitch and perform for 90 minutes. We can do all the talking we want, but at the end of the day, we need to do it on the pitch. ”
On his goal… “I saw the goalkeeper and defender collide, [the ball] managed to drop and I managed to put it away. But to be honest, I’m a little bit bothered and the most important thing is the team, and tonight we’re disappointed.”
Chivas USA (2-3-0) vs. Portland Timbers (1-3-1)
April 7, 2012 – JELD-WEN Field
Scoring Summary:
POR – K. Boyd 2 (unassisted) 16′
CHV – A. Moreno 1 (Ryan Smith 1) 48′
CHV – N. LaBrocca 1 (Ryan Smith 2) 82′
