The Portland Timbers defeated Phoenix Rising FC at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, with goals from Tega Ikoba, Diego Valeri and Zac McGraw leading the team to a 3-1 victory in the 2021 Visit Tucson Sun Cup.
The match was the third of four games on the Timbers' schedule for the Tucson portion of their preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky. Portland split 45-minutes scrimmages with the Colorado Rapids (0-2) and Rising FC (1-0) on Tuesday and will close our their Arizona trip on March 24 against Sporting Kansas City.
On Saturday, Iboka opened the scoring in the game's 17th minute, finishing far post past Phoenix's goalkeeper after being played behind Rising's defense by fullback Pablo Bonilla.
Rising equalized 17 minutes later with midfielder Aodhan Quinn scoring the final goal of the half, sending the teams into intermission tied, 1-1.
After the Timbers made five halftime changes, Valeri broke the teams' deadlock, putting home the rebound of a Yimmi Chara shot to make it 2-1 at the 59-minute mark.
Valeri was also involved in Portland's' third goal, serving a dead ball onto the head of Zac McGraw in the 60th minute for the defender's first Timbers goal.
Result
Goals, Portland: Ikoba (17'), Valeri (59'), McGraw (60').
Goals, Phoenix: Quinn (34').
Timbers Starting XI: Dairon Asprilla, Jeff Attinella, Pablo Bonilla, Jeremy Ebobisse, Tega Iboka, Zac McGraw, Cristhian Paredes, Bill Tuiloma, Renzo Zambrano, two trialists.
46th minute substitutions, on: Claudio Bravo, Yimmi Chara, Diego Valeri, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Eryk Williamson; Off: Bonilla, Ikoba, Paredes. trialists.
60th minute substitutions, on: Diego Chara, Steve Clark, Larrys Mabiala, Felipe Mora, Dario Zuparic, trialist; Off: Asprilla, Attinella, Ebobisse, McGraw, Tuiloma, Zambrano.
