The Portland Timbers just could find their finishing boots on Saturday night in Washington, DC. The home side, DC United, scored twice in the first half to hold off Portland at RFK Stadium and take all three points.

A hot, long day in DC

Sunday night's match was delayed an hour to 8:00pm Eastern due to high temperatures in the nation's capitol. Hydration breaks were in full effect as the effects of heat were visible on the pitch. Portland looked slow and out-of-it the entire match, always a step behind the Eastern Conference side.

DC didn't look phased by the heat and came out on the attack early. This turned out to be a great strategy as the Timbers didn't look capable of mounting a comeback, even after making some late subs to bring on fresh legs.

Goals and saves

DC united opened up the score on what else, but a dead ball play. Lloyd Sam sent in a corner kick to the near post that was flicked on by defender Bobby Boswell. Steve Birnbaum put the ball right past Timbers' keeper Jake Gleeson with a powerful one-time shot to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute. Not long after in the 29th minute, Luciano Acosta weaved right past Portland defender Jermaine Taylor and scored. Taylor misplayed things terribly and let Acosta bring down a beautiful pass with room to pick out his shot. 

Luciano Acost celebrates goal with teammates in win over Portland Timbers. | Photo: USA Today Sports
Luciano Acost celebrates goal with teammates in win over Portland Timbers. | Photo: USA Today Sports

While Portland couldn't get things going on the attack, Jake Gleeson continued his great play between the posts. The Kiwi did let in two early, but these could both be blamed on his backline. Plus, we all know that Portland just can't defend set pieces. Despite the two goals, Gleeson came up huge to deny what looked like an easy chip for Patrick Mullins. The Timbers' keeper ended up recording six saves on the night. 

On the DC side of things, Bill Hamid was just as good, if not better, than his Portland counterpart. Despite only making three saves, the DCU keeper deflected one of Portland's best chances by Jack McInerney off the bar. He and the DC defense formed a wall that the Rose City just couldn't find a way past.

Current standings

This win puts DC United into 6th place in the East, just above the New England Revolution and Orlando City. Orlando could jump DCU as they have yet to play this week. Portland is also just above the playoff line in the Western Conference's 6th place position. 

Next up

Portland now comes to an incredible couple weeks of back-to-back matches against the Seattle Sounders. Next week the Timbers head up Interstate 5 to Seattle and the week after they welcome the fishing village to Portland. It's sure to be a couple weeks of nothing but Pacific Northwest banter.

DC United hosts the New York Red Bulls next Sunday. Then the following Wednesday they head up to Canada to take on the Montreal Impact. After that match, they return home to host the Chicago Fire. This stretch of three Eastern Conference matches will play a big role in whether or not United can make the playoffs. 

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