The game in 100 words (or less): Two teams needing to make up ground fast both held good defensive shape, and neither side could take advantage of their big opportunity, leaving both San Jose and Portland with just a useless point to show for things. Chris Wondolowski saw himself through on goal early but a poor touch let him down, and Diego Valeri missed a penalty late, with little in between. San Jose stopped its four-match MLS losing streak, but Portland’s defensive shape remained solid throughout the match.
Three moments that mattered:
7′ – San Jose started things off strong, and it nearly paid off, but Adam Kwarasy came up big. Chris Wondolowski beat the offside trap perfectly, and a cross from Shea Salinas found the USMNT striker all alone. Unfortunately for Wondo, a poor first touch saw the ball squirt just behind him, giving Kwarasy enough time to smother the eventual shot and keep San Jose out.
47′ – After a relatively dull first half, Portland came out of the halftime gates with a huge chance. Diego Valeri found Fanendo Adi all alone to the right of goal. Adi ripped off a low shot to the far post but it clanged the iron and came back out, an unlucky break for the visitors.
73′ – The winning chance fell to Portland, and they let it fly by. Already on an early yellow, Shaun Francis toppled Diego Valeri in the penalty area, and Valeri stepped up to take the resulting penalty. With a scoreless game begging to be broken, the Argentinian seemed to have his foot catch in the grass just enough to see his penalty scream into the crossbar and out.
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LINEUPS
San Jose – Bingham; Stewart, Wynne, Bernardez, Francis; Garcia (Thompson 82′), Alashe, Wondolowski; Salinas (Pelosi 78′), Cato (Nyassi 64′), Amarikwa.
Portland – Kwarasey; Powell (Peay 46′), Borchers, Villafaña, Ridgewell; Johnson, Nagbe, Valeri, Chara, Wallace (Urruti 80′); Adi (Melano 66′).
