PORTLAND, Ore. – Lightning struck twice on Saturday night at JELD-WEN Field.
Two second-half goals, first by Timbers forward Kris Boyd and then from Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks, led to a 1-1 draw between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps on an evening that had it all: intense rain, hail and lightning, not to mention an action-packed final 45 minutes.
In the Timbers’ first Cascadia Cup match of the season, a thunderstorm moved over the stadium with about 10 minutes left in the first half. It soaked the raucous crowd of 20,438 in an intense downpour and provided occasional lightning strikes in the distance, leading to an extended delay during halftime.
And it provided all the electricity the teams needed, as they came out firing in the second half.
OPTA Chalkboard: Action fast and furious after halftime weather delay
The pressure first got to Vancouver in the 67th minute when a cross from outside defender Jack Jewsbury was punched out by Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon. But Boyd was right there before the ball could be cleared and, with his back to the goal, he put his right foot to it for his first strike since April 14.
Vancouver leveled it in the 84th minute when second-half substitute Mattocks chested down Eric Hassli's header in the box. The young Jamaican took two touches to get past Timbers defender David Horst and fired a right-footed blast past a diving Troy Perkins.
The point is the first taken against Portland by the Whitecaps since the teams joined MLS last season, sending Vancouver into the international break with 19 points, tied for fourth place with Colorado.
Portland, meanwhile, move into a tie with FC Dallas for seventh place with 13 points.
The Timbers next host a US Open Cup third-round game at JELD-WEN Field on May 30 against fifth-tier Cal FC and return to MLS action on June 17 at LA. The Whitecaps are off until June 10, when they host Houston.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kris-boyd" target="_blank">Kris Boyd</a></span> |
Excellent awareness in poaching the game's opener; big Scot caused 'Caps D problems all game long. |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/john-thorrington" target="_blank">John Thorrington</a></span> |
Veteran midfielder kept the tempo going as Vancouver pushed for the equalizer in second half. |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/darren-mattocks" target="_blank">Darren Mattocks</a></span> |
Speedy Jamaican made his impact felt barely a minute after taking the pitch with a patient, classy finish. |
WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
