Vancouver Whitecaps fall to undermanned Portland Timbers 2-1
VANCOUVER — Caleb Porter spent the last few days trying to patch together a lineup with injuries, suspensions and international duty ravaging his roster.
At the final whistle Sunday, the head coach of the Portland Timbers pumped a jubilant and relieved fist in celebration before hugging his assistants — a reaction not usually seen after a July match in Major League Soccer.
Sebastian Blanco scored early in the second half as the undermanned Timbers snapped a six-game winless streak with a gutsy 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Portland dressed just 16 players instead of the usual 18, with Porter having to call up two members of the club’s USL affiliate to fill out his bench.