The Portland Timbers controlled their Mobile Mini Sun Cup match against Real Salt Lake in Arizona in comfortable fashion on Saturday, defeating their Western Conference foes 3-0.
The Timbers opened the scoring five minutes in, as Andy Polo found Jeremy Ebobisse in the middle, with the American getting the shot past Nick Rimando.
Sebastian Blanco doubled Portland’s lead just before halftime, as Diego Valeri’s low cross was poked into the net by his compatriot.
Polo scored a goal of his own in the 72nd minute, as he dribbled upfield and shot between Rimando’s legs at the near post to make it 3-0 Timbers.
RSL had several audacious attempts on goal, but could not find the breakthrough in the desert.
RSL open their 2019 MLS regular season slate next Saturday on the road against the Houston Dynamo (6 pm ET | ESPN+), while the Timbers get started the same day and time, also on the road, against the Colorado Rapids (6 pm ET | ESPN+).
Goals
- POR - Jeremy Ebobisse (Andy Polo) 5'
- POR - Sebastian Blanco (Diego Valeri) 43'
- POR - Andy Polo 72'
Lineups
Real Salt Lake (4-3-3): GK - Nick Rimando; Brooks Lennon, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Aaron Herrera; Kyle Beckerman, Everton Luiz, Damir Kreilach, Jefferson Savarino, Corey Baird, Albert Rusnak
Portland Timbers (4-2-3-1): GK - Jeff Attinella; Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Jorge Villafaña, David Guzman (Renzo Zambrano 86'), Diego Chara, Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco (Eryk Williamson 81'), Jeremy Ebobisse (Foster Langsdorf 81')
