Per Timbers Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – Scoring three goals in a nine-minute span in the first half, the Portland Timbers secured a 4-0 win over the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the tournament for a second consecutive season.
Brian Fernandez finished the match with a goal and an assist, while Sebastián Blanco and Jorge Moreira each tallied goals for Portland. The Timbers will travel for a road match in the quarterfinal round on July 10 against the winner of Thursday’s Round of 16 match between Los Angeles FC and the San Jose Earthquakes.
U.S. Open Cup history
With the win, the Timbers advanced to the quarterfinal round of the tournament for a second consecutive season and the fourth time in club history (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019). Since 2013, Portland has nine victories over MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup play, which is tied for second-most during that span. Additionally, the win was also the largest shutout victory the club has ever had in the competition.
Home form
In their last eight home games in the U.S. Open Cup, the Timbers are 7-1 at Providence Park, outscoring their opponents 19-2. The win marked Portland’s third consecutive win at Providence Park in Open Cup play. In those three wins, the Timbers have posted three clean sheets, while outscoring their opponents 7-0. In Wednesday’s game, The Timbers held a 20-7 advantage in shots and finished the match with 63.9 percent of the possession.
Fernandez goals
With his goal, Fernandez has now tallied a goal in five consecutive matches across all competitions, including three goals in his first two U.S. Open Cup matches for Portland. In total, Fernandez has recorded seven goals in five matches. Fernandez is the first Timbers player ever, across all eras, to score in his first five matches for the club.
Key plays
Portland generated a scoring chance in the 18th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse played a long cross from the left side into the box. Tomás Conechny headed the ball toward goal and Cristhian Paredes flicked it on for Fernandez at the right post, but Fernandez’s snap header from close range was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Lampson.
The Timbers took the lead in the 28th minute on a set piece. Conechny delivered a free kick from the left wing for Fernandez, who sent a header through the box that was redirected into the back of the net by the Galaxy’s Perry Kitchen.
Portland doubled its lead in the 34th minute. Blanco played a long ball from near midfielder over the top for Ebobisse, who made a perfectly timed run between two defenders into space. Ebobisse lifted the ball over Lampson rushing off his line near the edge of the box to make the save and Fernandez converted near the goal line.
The Timbers increased their lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute. The Galaxy cleared a ball played into the box by Portland, but Blanco pounced on the loose ball at the edge of the box, sending a curling a left-footed strike into the right-side netting.
Continuing on the attack, Conechny dribbled to the end line and played a cross into the center of the box for Ebobisse, who sent a looping header toward goal that was tipped off the crossbar by Lampson in the 40th minute.
Portland added a fourth goal in the 82nd minute as Moreira recorded his first goal in the U.S. Open Cup. Building down the left side of the field, Marco Farfan played the ball out wide to Fernandez, who played a cross to Moreira making a surging run down field. Moreira unleashed a powerful strike with the outside of his foot into the back of the net.
Notes:
- The Timbers advanced to the quarterfinals for a second consecutive season and the fourth time in club history (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019).
- Since 2013, Portland has nine wins over MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup play, which is tied for the second-most wins during that span.
- Portland’s win was the largest shutout victory the club has ever had in the competition.
- Brian Fernandez scored his seventh goal in all competitions for Portland. Fernandez has scored in all five matches he has played in for the Timbers.
- Fernandez is the first Timbers player across all eras to score in each of his first five matches for the club.
- Fernandez is the second player to score in consecutive matches for Portland in U.S. Open Cup play.
- Sebastián Blanco tallied his third goal of the season across all competitions. Blanco has now scored 25 goals across all competitions in his three seasons with the club.
- Blanco has scored two U.S. Open Cup goals in his career. Both of those goals have been against the LA Galaxy.
- Jorge Moreira scored his second goal with the Timbers and his first goal in the U.S. Open Cup.
- Marco Farfan made his 2019 Timbers debut in the match.
- Tomás Conechny earned his first start of the 2019 season.
