With the Portland Timbers heading east to take on the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, the first half was a busy one. Following a collision in the box in the 35th minute between Portland's Pa Modou Kah and New York's Lloyd Sam, referee Drew Fischer pointed to the spot. Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips stepped up and calmly converted to give New York a 1-0 lead.
But the Timbers kept at it. In the 45th minute, Steve Zakuani worked the ball down the left channel before playing to Maximiliano Urruti. Urruti carried to the edge of the area before lashing a shot that suprised NY's 'keeper Luis Robles and curled into the back of the net near post. Equalizer. It's 1-1.
Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did his part in keeping things close when he came up big in the 49th minute. With New York's Wright-Phillips bearing down 1v1, Ricketts played it perfectly to smother ball away and keep the score level.
Urruti wasn't finished yet either. Timbers defender Jorge Villafaña carried the ball down the left side before whipping in a fantastic cross that skimmed through the six-yard box. New York attempted a clear but the ball fell to Urruti who rifled into the back of the net, giving the Timbers a 2-1 lead in the 74th minute. The goal would stand as the game-winner.
