Portland squanders chances in draw with Orlando

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:21 am

Jeremy Ebobisse scored on a header in the 82nd minute as the Portland Timbers finally found a finishing touch to salvage a 1-1 tie with visiting Orlando City on Thursday night.

Brought on as a substitute in the 61st minute, Ebobisse scored his sixth goal of the season after Timbers forward Brian Fernandez got his head on Jorge Moreira's centering pass, redirecting it to the left side of the goal. Ebobisse's shot eluded Orlando City goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh.

Before the Portland score, Santiago Patino's goal just before halftime looked as if it would hold up for Orlando City on a night when the Timbers controlled the action for a majority of the game.

The Timbers took 26 shots, four of which were on goal, compared to two shots for Orlando City, one of which was on target.

Portland (7-8-4, 25 points) was able to extend its unbeaten streak to four games and is now 2-1-2 since Providence Park reopened June 1 after a major remodeling project.

Orlando City (7-9-5, 26 points) failed in a bid to win consecutive games for the first time this season, having produced a 1-0 victory over the visiting Columbus Crew on Saturday. But the Lions have just one defeat over their past five games, earning a 2-2 tie at Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia in that stretch.

With a scoreless first half nearly at hand, Patino picked up a weak clearance from Moreira and poked a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty spot and past Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark.

It was the second career goal in eight games for Patino, the No. 3 overall selection in this year's MLS SuperDraft. The Florida International product scored 37 goals in 69 career games in college.

Orlando City held off a number of Portland scoring chances until late in the game, despite losing defender Alex De John in the eighth minute. De John appeared to be knocked unconscious after taking a right foot to the chin from Fernandez as both made a play for a long centering pass. De John was checked for a concussion by medical personnel after leaving the game.

Ranjitsingh made three saves for the Lions in his second career MLS appearance. Clark did not have a save for the Timbers.