In an exhilarating match at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers showcased their resilience by earning a 4-4 draw against St. Louis CITY SC, thanks to a spectacular last-minute free kick by Evander in the 90+9th minute. Despite being down to 10 men, the Timbers managed to secure a crucial point, extending their unbeaten streak at home to 10 games and climbing to seventh place in the Western Conference standings with 37 points.
Evander, the Brazilian midfielder, was the standout player of the night, not only scoring the equalizer but also contributing two assists. His performance was instrumental in a thrilling match that saw the Timbers fight back multiple times. Evander's goal also marked his 12th of the season, and with 15 assists, he leads the team in this category, further establishing his importance to the squad. His contributions tonight brought him to 21 goals and 20 assists in his career with Portland, making him only the fifth player in the club’s history to reach this milestone.
Striker Felipe Mora also played a pivotal role, scoring twice in the second half to keep Portland in the game. His brace took his season tally to 13 goals, tying him with Jonathan Rodríguez for the team lead. Mora’s impact was not just limited to goals; with his contributions tonight, he reached 52 goal involvements in his MLS career with the Timbers, placing him among the top contributors in the club’s history.
Jonathan Rodríguez, another key member of Portland’s attacking trident, also found the back of the net, continuing his impressive form this season. The trio of Evander, Mora, and Rodríguez have now combined for 38 of the Timbers' 54 regular season goals, making them one of the most formidable attacking forces in the league. Remarkably, the Timbers are the only MLS club to have three players with 12 or more goals each in the same season, a testament to their attacking prowess.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with St. Louis CITY SC taking the lead twice in the first half. Simon Becher opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from a corner, and Eduard Löwen doubled their lead with a penalty in the 36th minute. However, Portland responded quickly, with Rodríguez scoring just three minutes later, setting the stage for a high-intensity second half.
In the second half, the goals continued to flow. Mora’s header in the 57th minute was quickly followed by Nökkvi Thórisson's stunning left-footed strike, giving St. Louis a 4-2 lead. But Mora struck again in the 64th minute to bring Portland within one goal. The dramatic equalizer came in the dying moments of the game when Evander curled a free kick past Roman Bürki, sending the Providence Park crowd into a frenzy.
Despite the draw, the match highlighted some disciplinary issues for Portland, with Felipe Mora receiving a red card in stoppage time and Jonathan Rodríguez picking up a yellow card, ruling them both out of the next match against Seattle.
For St. Louis CITY SC, the match was bittersweet. Despite scoring four goals on the road and earning a point, they were unable to secure a victory. The standout performances came from Marcel Hartel, who recorded three assists in his MLS debut, and Cedric Teuchert, who scored his first MLS goal.
Overall, the match was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams demonstrating their offensive capabilities. The Timbers will look to continue their unbeaten run at home and solidify their playoff position, while St. Louis CITY SC will aim to build on their promising performance as they seek to climb the standings.
