Published: Saturday, September 18, 2010
Oregon Live
Oregon Live
A game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time by midfielder Kalif Alhassan lifted the Portland Timbers to a 1-0 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
The Timbers extended their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Making his first start, Alhassan scored his first goal of the season after Rodrigo Lopez found Alhassan, who had a shot on target saved just minutes earlier, down the right wing 25 yards from the goal. Alhassan spotted keeper Bill Gaudette off his line and chipped the ball over Gaudette, tucking it inside the goal’s far side.
Goalkeeper Steve Cronin and the Timbers’ backline logged their fourth consecutive shutout despite enduring heavy pressure from the Islanders (9-10-9, 36points) in the second half.
The Timbers (12-7-9, 45points) have not conceded a goal in their last 424 minutes of play. Cronin picked up his 12th shutout of the season.
