Evander had a goal and an assist as the Portland Timbers defeated the host San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Wednesday.
Jonathan Rodriguez scored the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute for the Timbers (6-7-6, 24 points), who are 4-1-2 since rallying for a 4-2 victory against San Jose on May 15 in Portland to snap a nine-match winless stretch.
Paul Marie tallied for the last-place Earthquakes (3-13-2, 11 points), who dropped to 0-5-1 starting with the matchup in Portland.
The deciding goal came after Evander took a pass near the top right of the 18-yard box from Juan Mosquera. Evander’s diagonal cross toward the far post found Rodriguez cutting across the front of the goalmouth. San Jose goalkeeper Jacob Jackson got a hand on Rodriguez’s header from 3 yards out but was unable to prevent the ball from reaching the right side netting.
After trailing 1-0 at the half, the Earthquakes tied it in the 50th minute. Cristian Espinoza’s corner kick from the right wing was headed away by the Portland defense, but the ball fell to Marie, who settled it and curled a 25-yard shot into the upper right corner of the net.
The Timbers took the lead in the 22nd minute on a miscue by Jackson, who was making his Earthquakes debut and just his third career MLS start.
Defender Tanner Beason sent a pass back to Jackson along the end line a few yards right of the net. The goalie’s initial touch was heavy, allowing Evander to charge forward and get a foot on Jackson’s hurried clearance attempt.
The ball sailed high into the air and Evander ran onto it and put a left-footed volley into the open net from 5 yards out. It was Evander’s eighth goal of the season, tying Felipe Mora for the team lead.
The Earthquakes’ Carlos Akapo had to come off in the 18th minute because of an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by Marie.
–Field Level Media
