We are back with this matchday's Slab of the Match. And even given the 2-2 draw at home against the Houston Dynamo, there were still amazing performances by those in Timbers uniforms.
It was definitely a team effort to battle back not just once, but twice on Saturday night as the Dynamo were keen on placing the ball in the back of the net all night. But for a team that was once absent of offensive creativity, they seem to have found it. Thanks in part to Evander & super sub Nathan Fogaca, our Players of the Match.
The Timbers' record signing is on an absolute tear at the moment. With now 14th goal involvements in 13th matches. Still battling through leg injuries throughout the season, Evander has made the most of his minutes on the field.
Saturday was no different, as Evander's beautifully placed pass to an advancing Rodriguez was spot on enough for the club's latest DP signing to go to work on his own & draw enough attention to find Mora nearly unmarked for Portland's first goal.
He didn't stop there though as he found his second assist of the match on a Portland set piece that gracefully found the head of a very acrobatic Fogaca to level things inside Providence Park.
He almost won the whole thing for Portland with a dart of a strike that just hit the cross bar as well as a corner kick that found Fogaca but hit the iron once again.
Nathan Fogaca looked like the perfect spark plug off of the bench for Portland. Phil Neville spoke highly about the 24-year-old striker who spent time in Brazil's Serie A just under four years ago but has struggled to find meaningful first tier minutes since arriving in the United States.
"Nathan has not had any action whatsoever and he came on tonight and nearly won us the game. We've been really impressed with him, he came on in Minnesota, we thought he did really well. We've been working with him we believe in him. -Phil Neville"
Fogaca looked the part of an ariel threat on Saturday night. With a perfectly timed header that went directly across Andrew Tarbell's body into the net. His near second goal in extra time was much of the same. Another beautifully placed corner kick that found it's way right towards him & he rose & nearly won his team the match.
His goal against Houston was his first of the season & his fourth in a Timbers uniform overall since joining T2 from San Antonio FC in 2020. Fogaca has spent most of his time in Portland on the Timbers bench while keeping his scoring boots warm in the USL Championship & MLS Next Pro. His goal at Providence Park Saturday was not only entertaining but a key moment in a young players career.
"I am very happy to hear he spoke well of me but I definitely think it's a collective result. I focus everyday when I train regardless if I play or not. Whatever is best for the Timbers at the end of the day we are all focused on the same goal. -Nathan Fogaca"