The New York Red Bulls traveled to Portland Friday night where they lost 2-0 to the Timbers. 

Despite a valiant effort by RBNY secondary players, RBNY fell to the Portland Timbers 2-0. A goal in the 65th minute by Diego Valeri and a late goal by Darren Mattocks stole all three points from RBNY’s visit.

The New York Red Bulls fielded a very different team than the previous matchups. Jesse Marsch decided to rest most RBNY first-string players. This left a starting lineup of Veron, Etienne Jr, Duka, Bezecourt, Lade, Zizzo, Felipe, Lawrence, Collin, Escobar, Robles.

While most of this line-up has seen very few minute played this season, RBNY held their own in the first half.

RBNY held the Portland attack to a halftime score of 0-0. Portland’s Diego Valeri, in fact, had no shots the whole first half.

In total Portland only found four shot opportunities. This, however, was still two more than RBNY.

The closest opportunity of the first half was from a Darlington Nagbe shot from outside the 18 in the 39th minute. What should have been an easy save by Robles, Nagbe’s shot turned dangerous. The shot just missed Robles’s glove over his head a connected with the crossbar.

First Half Stats:

Score: RBNY 0 – Portland 0
Shots: RBNY 2 – Portland 4
Shots on Goal: RBNY 0 – Portland 0
Possession: RBNY 49.7% – Portland 50.3%

Diego Valeri in the second half opened up scoring. In the 65th minute, Valeri received a ground cross from Diego Chara from the right side of the field. Remarkably, Valeri was completely unmarked around the penalty spot and directed the ball to the far post passed Luis Robles.

Certainly, a disappointing goal against as RBNY’s unconventional lineup went nearly two-thirds the game without letting up a goal.

Unfortunately, RBNY’s inability to man-mark Valeri doomed their efforts to win.

Veron, in the 80th minute, was taken down by Portland defender Larrys Mabiala who was issued a red card. The foul was placed right at the top of the center of the 18. The free kick resulted in a shot missed wide by Escobar.

The New York Red Bulls let up a disappointing late goal in stoppage time. Luis Robles caught out of his net put the game out of reach. Darren Mattocks was awarded the goal.

Final Stats:

Score: RBNY 0 – Portland 2
Shots: RBNY 11 – Portland 7
Shots on Goal: RBNY 3 – Portland 2
Possession: RBNY 55.1% – Portland 44.9%