Portland Timbers manager Caleb Porter was visibly disappointed after the 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire, which meant that the team could not continue their good run of form in recent months. Portland Timbers have been one of the inform teams in the division since the start of the new season. They have managed to suffer just one defeat in all the matches they have played this season. They were coming into the match against Chicago Fire following a 5-1 thrashing of Wilmington Hammerheads in the US open cup.
Hence, they were expected to be at their best and get all three points from this match. A 2-2 draw was the best they could achieve from the match. Even more disappointing for the manager was the fact that they conceded two goals in the second half to drop the points. Portland opened the scoring in the match with a goal from Váleri in the 33rd minute. Zemanski then appear to have given Portland all three points from the encounter after scoring just before the hour mark. However, Porter and his men were in for a shock after Magee pulled one back in the 68th minute.
The comeback was completed in the 82nd minute with a goal from Paladini. Still, Portland maintain the impressive unbeaten run.
“Even at 2-0, the game isn’t done. With the way we were playing, there was absolutely no reason for that team to get a goal. They got a goal out of nothing. It wasn’t like they had a flow or anything. It popped up in a moment, and we fell asleep. Well, we went up 2-0, and to be honest with you, it looked like it was going to be three or four. They caught us on a counter-attack. The fact that we can learn a lesson without losing a game, I think it’s a very positive thing,” said Porter.