Kevin Molino completed his first brace since the 2018 season opener, Luis Amarilla scored in his MLS debut and Minnesota United pulled off a 3-1 away victory over the Portland Timbers in both teams' season opener on Sunday evening at Providence Park.
Ethan Finlay picked up two assists and was the provider on all three goals for Minnesota, who did all their damage after halftime to become the first road team to win a season-opener at Portland in MLS history. Amarilla's goal and Molino's second came in the 76th and 78th minute to blow open a tied game.
Diego Valeri converted from the penalty spot to level the match at one apiece five minutes after Molino's opener. The Timbers also believed they had a case for a penalty early in the first half, but referee Ismail Elfath declined to consult replay himself in a Video Review.
Goals
- 51' - MIN - Kevin Molino | WATCH
- 56' - POR - Diego Valeri (PK) | WATCH
- 76' - MIN - Luis Amarilla | WATCH
- 78' - MIN - Kevin Molino | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE:Diego Chara became just the third player in MLS history to receive his 80th yellow card for his 71st-minute foul on Amarilla, and he's the only one to accomplish the feat who has not been a part of a US national team World Cup squad. There's theoretically still time to change that, as the 33-year-old Chara became a citizen last year. Pablo Mastroeni and Kyle Beckerman are the others to reach the 80-caution plateau.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: All three Loons goals came on the counter, but the third was the most stylish, including a did-he-mean-to-do-that flick from Finlay and an emphatic finish on the volley from Molino.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Ethan Finlay. The Minnesota native's opportunism down the right flank is the single biggest reason the Loons are returning to the Twin Cities with three points instead of zero or one.
Up Next
- POR: Sunday, March 8 vs. Nashville SC (7 pm ET | ESPN, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- MIN: Saturday, March 7 at San Jose Earthquakes (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US and on DAZN in Canada)
