Timbers Blank Colorado Rapids in 3-0 Victory at Providence Park

June 26, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers downed the Colorado Rapids in a 3-0 shutout victory Saturday evening at Providence Park. Portland opened its scoring account with a first half penalty-kick goal from Sebastián Blanco, and Jaroslaw Niezgoda added a second-half brace. The Polish striker is now tied for the team lead in goals this season (5) with Bill Tuiloma.

Blanco in the Attack

Blanco converted his first career penalty-kick attempt, recording his third goal of the season. Notably, the Argentine has tallied four goals and six assists in eight all-time regular season appearances against Colorado. With his assist against the Galaxy on June 18, Blanco has now contributed to a goal in two consecutive matches (1G, 1A).

Jaro on Target

Niezgoda registered his second career brace in the first 17 minutes of the second half. Taking four shots in the match, Niezgoda landed three on target and two in the back of the net. Averaging 0.46 goals per 90 minutes this year, Niezgoda leads Portland in accurate shooting percentage (44.4%) and shot conversion (27.8%) this season.

Midpoint of the Season

Playing their 17th match tonight, the Timbers are officially at the halfway mark of the season. Portland earned its fourth win of the season and its second largest margin of victory this year with the 3-0 scoreline. Tonight’s clean sheet was the team’s fourth of the season and their second shutout win of the year. The Timbers posted 19 shots in the match, the most they’ve taken in a single game in the 2022 campaign. Portland is one of just five teams in MLS that have three players with four or more goals scored this season (Yimmi Chara, Niezgoda, Tuiloma).

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – Sebastián Blanco, 45+8 minute: Santiago Moreno was fouled in the box and earned a penalty kick. Blanco converted the attempt.

POR – Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Bill Tuiloma), 54th minute: Tuiloma drove a long ball from the Timbers’ defensive half of the field into the path of Niezgoda, who collected the ball with his chest and dribbled into the 18-yard box, firing a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

POR – Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Eryk Wlliamson), 62nd minute: Williamson won the ball back near the right touchline and dribbled into the box, chipping a shallow cross towards the six-yard box. Niezgoda made a run in behind his defender, getting in front of him to push the ball across the goal line.

Notes

The Timbers played their first…