The Portland Timbers have thrown a lot at the wall in the last two matches, but nothing has stuck. And when you leave the door open like that, somebody is bound to kick it in.
Portland lost 1-0 to Minnesota United on Saturday, surrendering a goal in the dying embers of second half stoppage time off the foot of Minnesota forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
The Timbers (4-6-4, 16 points) saw their unbeaten streak end abruptly, and their potential midseason turnaround come to a screeching halt.
Portland had some solid play in the build-up through the first 15 minutes, but couldn’t quite find the final pass or a clear shot. On the other end, strong play at the back from defensive midfielders Diego Chará and Cristhian Paredes kept Minnesota off the board.
Aljaz Ivacic was rock solid in goal as well for Portland, making a pair of key saves in the 25th and 28th minutes.
Two key runs were among Portland’s best in the first half: a wondrous ball ahead from Evander to Franck Boli in the 27th minute, and a nutmeg dribble from Boli between the legs of Michael Boxall in the 36th minute.
Neither run ended with a clear shot attempt. Portland went into the half tied 0-0 with Minnesota, but attacking momentum seemed to be building for the Timbers despite the lack of finishing.
That momentum picked up in stretches of the second half, the first dangerous moment coming in the 59th minute on a ball into the box from Mosquera that couldn’t find a recipient.
Zac McGraw and Claudio Bravo each picked up yellow cards in the 63rd and 67th minutes, respectively.
In the 66th, Evander had Portland’s best chance of the night to that point with a curling shot from outside the box that smacked off the crossbar near the top left corner.
Evander had another curling shot in the 73rd minute which forced a save from Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Portland narrowly avoided disaster in the 78th minute as a shot from in close by Kervin Arriaga took a late deflection out.
The Timbers brought on Sebastián Blanco for Asprilla in the 79th minute, the regular-season debut for Blanco as he fights through chronic knee issues.
Dario Zuparic picked up a yellow card in the 84th minute for Portland, earning a suspension for the Timbers’ next match due to accumulation.
Paredes fired a shot from outside the box in the 86th minute, but St. Clair caught it safely in his chest. Bravo had a chance in the 89th, but his curling, left-footed shot went just wide right of goal. On the ensuing corner, McGraw had a screaming header go straight at St. Clair.
It seemed Portland would hang on to a point, albeit disappointing, but disappointment became dejection as Hlongwane fired one out of Ivacic’s reach and in. He tore his shirt off in celebration, receiving a yellow card, and Timbers fans left Providence Park in stunned silence as the final whistle sounded.
Next up: Portland heads on the road to face Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT on May 28 with a live broadcast on FOX and live stream available on the Apple TV app with a subscription to MLS Season Pass.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
