SANDY — After 94 scoreless minutes, RSL’s former Nat Borchers headed the game-winning goal in the back of the net to clench the win for the Portland Timbers.
Real clearly controlled the majority of the game and outshot the Timbers 15-10, but couldn’t manage to place a single shot in the net.
After losing gas in the final minutes of Real’s five-games in 15 days run, Portland took advantage of RSL exhaustion by creating shots in stoppage time.
Portland snagged the win thanks to none other than Borchers, who left his RSL nation for Portland less than a year ago. Borchers scored with a stoppage-time header in the 95th minute to knock in the matchup’s only goal of the night.
Here are the player grades for Saturday night’s game.
Nick Rimando (GK), 7, held his own in the goal box and kept the Timbers scoreless in the opening 94 minutes of play. Rimando tacked up three heroic saves on the night and cannot be blamed for Borchers’ solid game-winning header.
Tony Beltran (DEF), 6, played his usual excellent attacking position from the defense and put in his work to hold the Timbers scoreless for 94 minutes. Beltran performed numerous critical saves for RSL.
Jamison Olave (DEF), 5, made his first start since June 7, when he played just six minutes. Olave’s nine-game lapse, due to a torn quad, was noticeable on the field, but he managed to get into the swing of things as the night went on.
Demar Phillips (DEF), 5, showed positive results on both the defensive and offensive ends of the field as he knocked a solid shot in the 28th minute and provided Real with a solid presence on defense. Phillips earned the team’s only yellow card of the game in the 12th minute.
Aaron Maund (DEF), 6, worked vigorously to put forth a stellar defensive effort throughout his 90 minutes of play.
Kyle Beckerman (MID), 8, controlled the game well, as always, throughout his 90 minutes of play. Beckerman headed a ball out of the goal box late in the game to keep the scored knotted at 0-0. Saturday’s game saw Beckerman creating opportunities and executing clean passes — particularly in the first half.
Javier Morales (MID), 7, created chances for RSL and played an important role in developing opportunities on the offensive end. Morales led RSL in touches with a whopping 98, including 78 passes.
Luke Mulholland (MID), 8, attempted perhaps the best opportunity for Real late in the first half as Timbers goalkeeper blocked his shot that was bound to nail the top left corner of the net. Mulholland created chances and controlled the field on both ends. Man of the Match.
Luis Silva (MID), 7, created breaks for Real as he put up two shots, including one on goal in the 77th minute, for his team throughout his 89 minutes of play.
Olmes Garcia (FWD), 6, despite a handful of flukes, kept the Portland defense on their toes. Garcia placed three shots in the first half, followed by a fourth in the second half, but like the rest of RSL, struggled to find the net.
Sebastian Jaime (FWD), 5, allowed Borchers to pull away to nail the game-winning header. Jaime had a handful of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net, including a shot from six yards out and another from 12 yards out. Despite a solid effort, Jaime was unable to keep his shots on mark.