Portland scores two highlight-reel goals in 2-1 victory over Toronto FC

It was the first-ever victory for the Timbers (2-5-1) at BMO Field. Portland had lost its last three meetings at the lakefront stadium and was 0-4-1 overall.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, Toronto’s league-leading offence started to pressure the visiting side.

The hosts struck moments later as Alejandro Pozuelo floated a corner kick to a surging Eriq Zavaleta, who headed the ball into a mess of bodies in front of the net.

Defender Zarek Valentin tried to clear it, but Osorio stuck his right leg out for a tap-in goal in the 20th minute.

The Timbers responded two minutes later as Diego Valeri put his corner kick into the heart of the penalty area and Tuiloma struck the ball in mid-air, leaving Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg frozen on his line.

With striker Jozy Altidore out with a hamstring injury, Jordan Hamilton started up front as the home side went with a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Toronto tried to build the play up the wings but high winds often made for wayward crosses. Portland, meanwhile, relied on short, quick passes on the ground with crafty midfielder Sebastian Blanco often pulling the strings.

Pozuelo, who has four goals in four appearances since joining Toronto from Belgium’s KRC Genk, had a quiet opening half as the Portland defence stifled him at every turn.

The Timbers stuck with the 4-4-2 lineup that worked in their first victory of the season last week at Columbus.

Play got a little chippy midway through the second half as Toronto’s Chris Mavinga and Portland’s Jorge Moreira were both shown yellow cards.

With his offence sputtering, Toronto coach Greg Vanney made a change in the 68th minute as Ayo Akinola came in for Hamilton.

But it was Portland that struck two minutes later. Ebobisse found a lane between two Toronto defenders and fully extended himself for a diving header to give the Timbers the lead.

Pozuelo flashed some nifty dribbling skills in the 81st minute before sending the ball across the goalmouth. Akinola got a piece of it with his outstretched leg but the ball sailed wide.

Diego Chara could have iced the win for Portland in the 90th minute. He was sent in all alone but pushed the ball just wide of the post.

The Timbers are playing 12 road games in a row due to renovations at Providence Park. Portland’s next home game is June 1 against Los Angeles FC.

Toronto returns to action May 5 at Orlando City while Portland visits Real Salt Lake the same day.

Announced attendance at a chilly BMO Field was 24,832.

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Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Portland scores two highlight-reel goals in 2-1 victory over Toronto FC

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