Timbers squelch playoff plans
Quakes’ season ends with another loss in Portland
PORTLAND, ORE. >> In perhaps the toughest possible venue in which they could play with their season on the line, the Earthquakes came up short in their bid to reach the MLS
Cup playoffs.
The Earthquakes lost their final regularseason match to the Portland Timbers 3-1 after surrendering two second-half goals Sunday afternoon at Providence Park. The loss eliminated the Quakes (1316-5) from postseason contention.
The Quakes have never won in Portland: Sunday’s match was the 12th time they’d failed to leave there victorious in as many tries since the Timbers joined MLS in 2011 (0-9-3).
Afterward, San Jose coach Matias Almeyda reflected on his first season with the Quakes.
“When we joined San Jose we (knew) it was going to be difficult, and we tried to make the team competitive through a system of play,” the Argentine coach said through a translator. “The team started out badly, then 60-70 percent of the season the team played excellently, and then the end of the season was also negative.”
Even if the Quakes had tied the Timbers, it would not have helped: To ad
vance following a draw, San Jose needed FC Dallas to lose to Sporting Kansas City. FC Dallas handily won its match 6-0.
Portland (14-13-7) advanced to the playoffs with the win.
Dairon Asprilla put the Timbers ahead to stay in the 60th minute. With the score knotted at 1-1, the midfielder blasted a shot off Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega’s shin guard from close range, then deposited the rebound into the net.
The Timbers effectively ended the Quakes’ playoff hopes on a goal by Sebastian Blanco in the 75th minute.
The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski, MLS’ all-time
leading scorer, tied the score at 1-1 shortly before halftime. He was camped out near the right goalpost in the 39th minute when forward Cristian Espinoza blasted a shot from the right. Espinoza earned his 13th assist of the season.
While colliding with a Portland player, Wondolowski headed — or perhaps chested — the ball into the left side of the net as Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark looked on helplessly.
Wondolowski’s goal was the 159th of his career and his 73rd on the road, both MLS records. He had 15 goals this season.
While disappointed not to make the playoffs, Wondolowski had much to savor in this record-breaking season. The San Jose legend is weighing his future plans.
“It was an amazing season in that sense. It was something that I’ll always
remember. It’s great with the accolades and to become the all-time (leading) scorer, but to be honest, it was kind of the memories in this locker room. This is a great group of guys. I enjoy going in there every day. I enjoy practice. I do need to reflect on this year and then decide my future; talk with the family, talk with the wife and decide where to go from here. At the same time, I had an absolute blast so I wouldn’t mind it.”
The Timbers (14-13-7) finished sixth in the Western Conference and will face Real Salt Lake in the
opening round.
“The players showed that in big moments they show up,” Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said. “They came today with an unbelievable energy, they stuck to the plan, and they played a fantastic game. A well-deserved win against a very good team, a very difficult team, and overall I think it was an incredible day.”
San Jose more than tripled its wins total (13 to 4) from 2018. Wondolowski has 11 career goals against the Timbers, most among all players in MLS history.