The Portland Timbers opened their MLS season with a scoreless draw against fellow Western Conference opponent, Real Salt Lake. The Timbers aren't too happy with the result though. In his post-game interview, head coach Caleb Porter said "We outplayed that team. They know it. We know it. Everyone knows it." And every Timbers fan knows how last season started when the Timbers failed to win any of their first eight games, one of those being a 1-0 loss away to RSL.
The Timbers took the field with three new players, Adam Kwarasey, Dairon Asprilla, and Nat Borchers. RSL fans are very familiar with Borchers, who spent the last seven years in Salt Lake, tallying up 205 appearances for the club.
The Timbers used their youth and pace to challenge the possession oriented Salt Lake side. Rodney Wallace had the first chance at a goal for Portland in the 16th minute with a looping shot from outside the 18. Dairon Asprilla got his head on an Alvas Powell cross in the 29th minute, but put it just wide of the goal. Wallace had another chance at goal when he got a touch on a Jack Jewsbury free kick just a few yards in front of goal, but the always spectacular Nick Rimando kept the Timbers scoreless.
The game got heated with some late and reckless challenges, and eventually entered stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Rodney Wallace floated a ball into the 18 for Gaston Fernandez, which was met with a punch clearance by Nick Rimando. The clearance only went as far as Michael Nanchoff who was waiting at the penalty spot. With Rimando out of position, Nanchoff fired a shot on goal, but RSL defender Jamison Olave blocked the potential game winner. The ref blew the whistle and both teams left with one point each.
Portland finished the game with 18 shots to RSL's 9, 11 corners to none, and RSL had 63 clearances to Portland's 24. The Timbers will host defending champions, LA Galaxy on March 15th.