Earthquakes 3 - 3 Timbers
Final
  for this game

Timbers try to keep momentum against 'Quakes

Sep 5, 2014 - 8:14 PM Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - After turning in one of its best performances of the season last time out, the Portland Timbers will aim to keep that momentum going against the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park on Sunday.

Portland notched a 3-0 win over Cascadia Cup rivals Vancouver last time out as the team turned in a dominant defensive performance while getting second-half goals from Alvas Powell, Max Urruti and Rodney Wallace.

The win moved the Timbers one point clear of the Whitecaps for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and defender Jorge Villafana believes it is the type of effort that can build some momentum going into the final two months of the season.

"I think we played a great game. In the first half, we had the ball, and in the second half, we completely shut them down," Villafana said of his team's outing with Vancouver. "I think they didn't create anything, maybe once, but it was out of our turnover. I think we dominated them on both sides of the ball, attacking and defending, in the second half, and this win gives us confidence going into the next games."

While Portland is riding high off its last performance, San Jose feels a bit unlucky to have only come away with a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in its most recent outing.

Sam Cronin took advantage of a turnover to put the Earthquakes up 1-0 in the 14th minute. However, Salt Lake equalized through a Javier Morales penalty kick and San Jose was unable to restore that lead and had to settle for a point.

"I thought everybody played well tonight. The effort, the performance, and the application of the game plan was fantastic," said San Jose head coach Mark Watson after the draw. "Real Salt Lake is a good team and they were pushing as well, but I feel badly for our players because I thought they deserved the full three points tonight."

If the Earthquakes want any chance at reaching the postseason Watson's men had better start collecting three points as the team enters the weekend eight points out of the final playoff spot, currently held by the Timbers.

San Jose is winless in its last five games, and the team will be playing without Atiba Harris on Sunday because he is away on international duty.






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