Portland Timbers x Real Salt Lake

In a midweek clash bathed in the enchanting glow of a full moon at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers scripted a thrilling 2-1 victory over the tenacious visitors, Real Salt Lake.

The match started with an exquisite delivery from Evander, who painted a picturesque pass to the right flank, where Juan David Mosquera awaited. With pinpoint precision, Mosquera launched a cross that arched gracefully into the heart of the six-yard box, where Santiago Moreno soared to meet it. A resounding header later, the net rippled with Moreno's first goal of the 2023 season.

But the story didn't end there. Claudio Bravo embarked on a mesmerizing dribble that left defenders in his wake. With a magician's touch, he unleashed a curling, long-range ball that went past the six-yard box. Santiago Moreno deftly controlled the celestial pass with one touch. In a moment of pure artistry, he slid a pass across the penalty area. Felipe Mora answered the call with a resounding right-footed strike that found itself instantly nestled in the top of the net.

However, the visitors from Real Salt Lake had a plot twist of their own. Brayan Vera embarked on the attack. At the crescendo of his play, he delivered a cross that arched majestically toward the summit of the 18-yard box. There, Cristian Arango plucked the ball from the pass and smashed a left-footed stroke of genius into the lower right corner of the net, and the stage was set for an unforgettable showdown for the remainder of the match.

In this electrifying encounter, the Timbers would go on to notch their sixth home victory of the season, with Santiago Moreno leading the charge with his inaugural 2023 goal. Yet, the ever-energetic Felipe Mora penned the final chapter, scoring in consecutive matches to secure three invaluable points.

[Photography by Hector Mendoza]