Timbers lose exhibition game to Chicago 2-0

Arturo Alvarez and Gilberto scored first-half goals as the Chicago Fire beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday in front of 16,000 fans at Providence Park.

The match concluded the Major League Soccer preseason for both clubs. Portland, which controlled play for long stretches but couldn’t find a goal against a packed-in Fire defense, finished the preseason with three wins, two losses and a draw. Chicago was 3-0 at the Simple Invitational tournament. Portland went 1-2 in its annual preseason event.

Alvarez scored off a cross from Michael Harrington against the run of play in the 28th minute. In the 35th minute, Gilberto was able to get the ball under Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey after Portland’s Jermaine Taylor fell down defending a Fire free kick.

Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson made two nice reaction saves on his way to the shutout.

The Timbers played most of the players expected to start the March 6 regular-season opener against Columbus at Providence Park. Central defender Liam Ridgewell (calf) again did not play for the Timbers as Taylor started alongside Nat Borchers for the fifth time in preseason. Zarek Valentin started at left back, the one position where the starting job appears to be undecided.

Right wing starter Dairon Asprilla left the match in the second half with an apparent ankle injury.