PORTLAND — Wednesday the soccer world was flipped upside down, members of its governing body were arrested in Switzerland and regional offices in Miami were raided. Meanwhile at Providence Park — for the first time this season — things felt like they were back to normal.
Portland Timbers captain Will Johnson made his 2015 debut, his first appearance since breaking his leg last September, in a 1-0 win over Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United.
“From the minute I got here today, it just felt right,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t always sure it was going to happen so it was a special day for me.”
A Maximiliano Urruti goal in the fourth minute was the difference as the Timbers rode an aggressive first half to victory.
A tifo in front of the Timbers Army read “same as it ever was,” below a red-line, as to voice their displeasure with the team’s performance. But with Johnson back normal felt good again, giving the club just their fourth victory in 13 chances.
“He’s a confident guy so he brings confidence and an edge to that midfield,” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said of Johnson’s return.
The Timbers Army roared as Johnson came out of the tunnel for pre-game warm-ups before serenading him in song.
Johnson was subbed off in the 84th minute to a raucous ovation.
A mistake from DC United’s back line led to the game’s only goal. Gaston Fernandez took the ball from a United defender just outside the penalty box.
Fernandez charged the right side just enough to get the reaction he wanted before feeding his fellow Argentine Urruti on the left side of the box who took advantage of the green and golden opportunity.
The run of play continued to favor the Timbers as they controlled 57 percent of the possession in the first half with much of that possession coming in the DC United penalty area.
Dairon Asprilla brought life into the Timbers’ attack, flying down the right side all game and after the goal Urruti was brimming with confidence.
Asprilla got a few shots on goal and his activity forced many of Portland’s seven corner kicks.
United were much more aggressive, finally putting shots on goal in the second half.
But they were unable to replicate the same type of constant pressure the Timbers put on their defense.
United possessed the ball for over 59 percent of the time in the second half but made little of it.
United were kept in the game by the brilliant goalkeeping of Bill Hamid, who had eight total saves including six in the second half.
• Suspension for Chara: With his yellow card in the second half, Timbers midfielder Diego Chara will be suspended for Portland’s next game against the Colorado Rapids. The Colombian played the whole match.
