Timbers shutout Earthquakes 1-0 before Copa America break
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) It was the unlikeliest of outcomes for the Portland Timbers.
Liam Ridgewell scored early and the Timbers earned their first shutout of the season with a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night despite playing short-handed the entire second half.
Dairon Asprilla was sent off with a red card at the end of the first half and the Timbers played with 10 men the rest of the way.
''That's not easy. If you know this game and have actually played it, it's very difficult to get a result down a man for 45 minutes,'' Portland coach Caleb Porter said. ''These guys dug deep, and were organized. They showed their composure. They showed their savvy and their experience. They showed their fight and heart. Couldn't be more proud of them, it's a big result.''
The loss snapped a three-game undefeated streak for the Earthquakes, who were without coach Dominic Kinnear because of a minor car accident Wednesday. Kinnear was not seriously injured, the team said.
Portland's win also came despite making just two shots. The Timbers (5-6-4) were the last MLS team without a shutout this season.
It was a clean sheet to Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, who was making his eighth start this year in place of Adam Larsen Kwarasey, who is out because of a torn ligament in his finger.
It was the last match for both teams until June 18 as Major League Soccer goes on a break for the Copa America Centenario. Sixteen nations, including the United States, are playing in the event across the country.
The tournament opens Friday with the U.S. national team facing Colombia at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Several players were missing from both teams on Wednesday because of the tournament, including Portland's Darlington Nagbe and San Jose's Chris Wondolowski, both on the U.S. squad.
Additionally, Portland was without Jermaine Taylor, who is playing for Jamaica. San Jose was also missing Simon Dawkins (Jamaica), Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero (Panama). Earthquakes defender Kip Colvey of New Zealand was called up for the OFC Nations Cup.
Wondolowski leads the Quakes with seven goals.
It was Diego Valeri's 100th appearance for the Timbers, becoming the fifth player in team history to reach the mark. On San Jose's side, Shea Salinas made his 172nd appearance with the club, moving him into sole possession of third on the franchise list.
Ridgewell scored in the 11th minute, heading in a free kick from Diego Valeri. After gesturing to the fans, he rolled on the turf in celebration, something that has been dubbed the ''RidgyRoll.''
''It's been a long time coming,'' Ridgewell said afterward. ''It felt great, and certainly to get the win, and that result, was fantastic.''
Asprilla was sent off with a red card at the end of the first half after for elbowing San Jose's Jordan Stewart in the head. It was difficult to determine from the replay if there was intent.
''Defensively I thought we were OK,'' Earthquakes assistant Steve Ralston said. ''They gave up a free kick in a bad place and the guy jumps up pretty well and scores a good goal.''
The Timbers were coming off a 1-all draw at Chicago last weekend. Portland is undefeated in two matches following a three-game losing streak.
San Jose (4-5-4) was coming off a scoreless draw at home against Dallas last weekend.