Rhinos Stun Timbers 2-1 to Snap Streak

(Portland, OR)… The Rochester Rhinos kicked off at PGE Stadium in Portland on Thursday night attempting to end the Timbers 24 game unbeaten streak and end their own four game winless streak.

Portland’s Mandjou Keita  and George Josten worked well together putting pressure on the Rhinos backline early.  The first serious threat however came from the Rhinos when Errol McFarlane’s shot in the 13th minute was cleared off the line by a Timber defender.  McFarlane nearly opened the scoring in the 24th with Portland ‘keeper Steve Cronin beat, but the shot went just wide. 

Portland responded with a pair of scoring chances inside the box for Mamadou Danso and Stephen keel but the two players failed to connect for an early lead.  After playing on their heels early on the Timbers switched the momentum and applied some pressure of their own.  Rochester’s Steve Kindel spoiled a chance for Keita who took a feed from Ryan Pore but couldn’t connect.  Minutes later Scot Thompson blasted a shot from 25 yards out that just missed the upper corner.

As the second half began the Rhinos began to apply pressure and with good results.  Just seven minutes into the half McFarlane had done what nobody has done this season, give an opposing team a lead at PGE Park.  His shot, set up by Kindel, would find the top of the net.  Minutes later McFarlane missed an open net to give the Rhinos a 2-0 lead.

The failure to add an insurance goal appeared to have been disasterous as Pore connected in the 83rd minute for his third goal against Rochester this season to even the score at one.  With the two sides pushing for the game-winner heading into stoppage time it was McFarlane once again.  This time he wouldn’t fail delivering the game-winner a minute into stoppage time, giving the Rhinos a 2-1 lead. 

Rochester’s win snaps the Timbers 24 game unbeaten streak and pushed the Rhinos one-step closer to securing a playoff spot.  They will face the Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday, September 6 beginning at 6:00 p.m.