PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers battled back from an early deficit and looked dangerous for much of the second half in the finale of their preseason tournament on Saturday, but settled for a 1-1 draw against Swedish side AIK in the final tune-up before next weekend’s season opener at JELD-WEN Field.
The Timbers finished 0-1-2 record in the tournament, while AIK finished with draws in all three matches in the tournament. The San Jose Earthquakes posted the best record of the four-team event, with a 1-0-2 record.
A goal by AIK forward Henok Goitom in the 28th minute held up until Timbers defender Michael Harrington equalized with a right-footed stinger in the 75th minute.
Portland were foiled on a number of occasions as they pressed for the game winner. Second-half substitute José Valencia pushed a shot wide after a clever run in the 84th minute and, in stoppage time, Valencia again hit a dangerous shot that was parried away by AIK goalkeeper Ivan Turina Turina. The deflection was skipped on to midfielder Will Johnson, who buried it into the open net, but the goal was waived off just before head referee Baldomero Toledo whistled for full time.
The Timbers attack, out of a 4-3-3 formation, fired off 25 shots from a lineup nearly identical to the one that scored three goals in the tournament opener last Sunday against San Jose.
AIK struck first on a counterattack when Goitom took a through ball, side stepped diving Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and tucked it neatly inside the far post for the goal.
Portland found the back of the net when forward Darlington Nagbe got behind the defense and played the ball back to Harrington for the goal.
The Timbers play host to the New York Red Bulls in their regular-season opener on March 3.
San Jose Earthquakes 2, FC Dallas 1
San Jose wrapped up the preseason with a 2-1 win over FC Dallas in the final match for both sides on Saturday in the Portland Timbers preseason tournament. The Earthquakes finished with a 1-0-2 record in the tournament, while FC Dallas finished 1-1-1.
Reigning MLS MVP Chris Wondolowski opened the scoring in the 15th minute, holding off George John around rounding goalkeeper Raúl Fernández before tapping the ball into an open net. FC Dallas equalized things in the 26th minute as Jackson volleyed a cleared cross off Víctor Bernárdez and past goalkeeper Jon Busch to level the match at 1-1.
San Jose scored the decisive goal off a defensive miscue from rookie London Woodberry, as the right back slipped on an attempted clearance in the 49th minute allowing Mike Fucito in with only Chris Seitz to beat. The former Timber easily slotted past Seitz for his second goal of the tournament and the game-winner.
San Jose Non-roster invitee John Bostock was whistled for a spot kick after making contact with FC Dallas forward Blas Perez in the box in the 79th minute. Perez was awarded the penalty kick, but Busch dove to his left to make the save and keep San Jose’s 2-1 lead intact.
FC Dallas open the MLS season March 2 at home against Colorado while the Earthquakes host Real Salt Lake in the final game of opening weekend on March 3.
