It was a long night and a slog of a match, but the Portland Timbers’ unbeaten streak extended to four on Wednesday with a 0-0 draw on the road at Real Salt Lake.
The match marked the first clean sheet of the season for Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic, who made crucial saves all night for the Timbers (4-5-4, 16 points).
After a 93-minute lightning delay in stormy Sandy, Utah, the sky cleared and the Timbers and RSL kicked off beneath a rainbow at America First Field. RSL were the aggressors early, dominating possession and patiently finding occasional opportunities in the attacking third.
In the 11th minute, RSL’s first chance was a shot off the post by midfielder Andrés Gómez.
Portland’s first real chance came in the 14th minute off the foot of reigning MLS player of the week Evander, who came in from the left side and fired a shot that forced a punching save by RSL keeper Zac MacMath.
The story of the match for Portland was being able to put together solid runs, but unable to find that final pass or shot.
In the 18th minute, Franck Boli’s pass ahead to a streaking Santiago Moreno was long. In the 22nd, Moreno combined with Evander and Yimmi Chará for a nice run into the box, but it was cut off. In the 26th, an excellent ball ahead from Boli to Evander ended in a shot into the side netting. In the 43rd, Juan David Mosquera’s curling ball was perfectly on-target to Moreno, but Moreno couldn’t settle it at his feet.
Ivacic came through with a massive save in the 45th minute, keeping things level at 0-0 with a quick reaction to a dangerous header by Justen Glad. Portland and RSL went into the half at a scoreless stalemate.
Boli found himself in a dangerous position in the 57th minute, firing a shot at the far post after the feed from Moreno. Although it was saved well by MacMath, it was Portland’s best chance to that point.
Cristhian Paredes made a crucial play at the back in the 59th minute, getting on top of the ball under pressure to stymie a numbers advantage for RSL in the box.
Portland brought on Dairon Asprilla for Yimmi Chará in the 64th minute.
In the 71st, Glad put a ball on-frame that was saved well by Ivacic, and RSL continued to threaten in the attacking third.
The Timbers brought on Marvin Loría and Nathan Fogaça in the 73rd minute for Moreno and Boli. Two minutes later, Asprilla smacked a low shot in that hit the post.
A quick free kick from RSL’s Maikel Chang forced an awkward, jumping save for Ivacic in the 83rd minute.
Mosquera came off in the 90th minute, replaced by Eric Miller. The fourth official indicated seven minutes of stoppage time on what was already a much later night than both teams expected.
Neither squad — both with tired legs in a midweek tilt — was able to find the winner.
Next up: Portland returns home for a matchup with Minnesota United. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park, with a live streak available on the Apple TV app with a subscription to MLS Season Pass.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
