Veteran defender scored an 81st minute equalizer to help Portland earn 3-3 tie against Sporting KC
Over the course of 186 games and 11 seasons, Portland Timbers defender Eric Miller has seen and done many things in his MLS career.
But one thing that eluded the longtime veteran changed Sunday when the Miller scored his first-ever MLS goal. His clutch 81st minute equalizer completed a three-goal, second-half comeback that stole a point on the road in Portland’s 3-3 draw against Sporting Kansas City.
For Miller, he was both happy about his team earning a result as well as scoring a timely goal.
“Having the monkey off the back is nice,” he after the match with a laugh. “I think I’ve played enough that I probably should have more than one [goal] by now, but I'm just happy to help the team. Happy we got at least a point out here on the road, so overall good job.”
The goal came as Evander, drawing a double team on the right edge of the box, played the ball back to Antony who looped a cross towards the top of the penalty area where midfielder Cristian Paredes snapped a header down on frame, forcing a save from Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia.
However, the rebound fell perfectly to Miller who calmly and composedly fired the ball into the back of the net.
“Christian had a great header and then [the rebound] was probably harder for me to miss than to score,” said Miller.
The point was an important one with the draw snapping a three-game losing streak for the Timbers and gives the squad something important to build off of heading into their next match Saturday at home against Los Angeles FC (1:45pm PT, TICKETS, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
