Allen Chapman assists Timbers for Three points

In a match like this you knew one mistake was going to cost the Red Bulls. One mistake would take them down on the road and only two days separating their win in the US Open cup. Sadly that mistake was created by referee Allan Chapman as he allowed a goal for the Portland Timbers to count.

In the 65th minute Diego Valeri converted a beautiful cross from Diego Chara as he slots the ball inside the far post and beats Luis Robles soundly, yet there was something wrong before that goal was scored.

Diego Chara chased after Kemar Lawrence for the ball and put his right arm along his shoulder and collar bone. Then he fouled Lawrence and Chapman should’ve blown the whistle, but decided not to. That allowed the goal to stand and then the make shift starters tried to equalize but couldn’t.

The Red Bulls had a great chance after Larrys Mabiala was sent off as last man defending tripping up Gonzalo Veron towards his area in the 80th minute. Fidel Escobar took the free kick and sadly just missed converting inside the near post, beating the wall and back up keeper Jeff Attinella.

Last gasp effort in second half stoppage time fell through as the Timbers found a way to get a second goal when Luis Robles tried to help offensively, but was caught on the gamble as Darren Mattocks converted the second and final goal of the game.

But Jesse Marsch didn’t feel discouraged after this performance. “Really Proud of our group. Thought we played really well, to have the game on our terms looked like our team playing so many new guys to have them know their roles and play so well.” said Marsch,

“In a really tough place to play against a good attacking team and we kept at bay for most of the game, I love this team it’s depth and a lot of good things happening with our group right now.

We had a great week. It’s obviously disappointing that we played well and couldn’t get the result, but we have to look at the big picture and you have to feel really, really good right now.”

The Red Bulls had a solid week of games after losing on the road to their rivals in the Bronx. They played a fantastic rebound match at home against Orlando City in league play and found a way to get a comeback victory in the Semi-Finals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

So with another match coming up within a short period of time and travel from Cincinnati, Ohio to Portland, Oregon, Marsch knew he had to bring in some fresh legs and some new players to give those who played 120 minutes a break.

Fidel Escobar, Derrick Etienne Jr., Vincent Bezecourt, Gonzalo Veron and Dilly Duka went out there and played a great match, but sadly couldn’t punch in a goal, but the big issue came in the 23rd minute as Aurelien Collin who returned from injury all of a sudden sat down on the field turf.

He was assisted returning to the bench with the training staff and while it looked like he was trying to prevent his substitution, it ended up that Sean Davis replaced Collin four minutes later. Marsch told the media Collin picked up a Plantar Fasciitis injury that forced him out.

But at the end of the day, this make shift starting eleven or a B-squad if you want to call it. They played very well sadly with one referee mistake that cost them at least a point from the road, but they achieved a big moment and that is a date for the US Open Cup final on Wednesday, September 20th.