– MLS side win on CONCACAF Champions League debut

Despite talks of redemption and optimism of a successful outcome, Guyana’s Alpha United fell 4 – 1 to a well-oiled Portland Timbers of the USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS) in the CONCACAF Champions League last night at the Providence Stadium.

Steve Zakuani opened the account for the Americans in the 18th minute then Maximiliano Urruti made it 2 – 0 in the 34th minute.

On the stroke of half time, Alpha United’s Brazilian import Barbosa Murilo scored what could possibly be the goal of the tournament thus far to see Coach Wayne Dover’s men still trailing 2-1 going into the second stanza.

Fanendo Adi (66th minute) who replaced Urruti in the second half, along with Alva Powell (83rd minute), did more than enough to see Portland Timbers winning their first CONCACAF Champions League game; in fact, it’s first time the team is featuring in the competition.

The game started with the visitors settling and allowing Alpha United to be the aggressor which saw the Guyanese unit creating a few clear cut chances through Grenadian International Kithson Bain and Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson.

On the other end, some dazzling display of skills by Portland Timbers got a few ‘oohs’ and ‘awes’ from the crowd of just over 2000 that turned up at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Meanwhile, with Timbers still playing cautious, Richardson was brought down on the left flank while attacking towards the goal at the Media Centre end and the striker took the free kick himself, with his shot on target but was safely held by Timbers’ Goalkeeper Andrew Weber.

Bain on a one-two play with Richardson, flicked the ball in the air and used the King Pele made famous bicycle kick to get a shot on goal but again, Weber’s quick gloves ensured the Grenadian was kept off the score sheets.

But things took a turn and the entire flow of the game changed when Zakuani lashed on a pass that came in from the Timbers’ right wing and sent Ronson William sprawling in goal.

Sixteen minutes later, Urruti caught Alpha United’s defence sleeping and had all the time in the world to calmly tuck the ball in the back of the net with again, Williams not even coming close to the save.

But Brazilian right-back Barbosa Murilo scored a goal that should be featured on the famed ESPN Sports Center.

Richardson was brought down almost 35 yards out on goal and the Brazilian stepped up and his left footed shot curled around the Timbers’ wall and elevated to the top left corner of the goal, way out of reach from goalkeeper Andrew Weber.

The crowd rose to their feet; even the opposition nodded in appreciation of the strike but the goal still saw Alpha United trailing 2 – 1 heading into the second half.

Dover’s men seemed a bit lackadaisical in the second half while Portland Timbers were more purposeful and decisive in their attack.

Both strikes from Fanendo Adi and Alva Powell in the second half were the simplest of goals that came at a time when Alpha United seemed to have given up.

Alpha United will now travel to Honduras to face Club Deportivo Olimpia on August 28 in their return game after losing the first 1 – 0 at home, after which a trip to the USA will see them play Portland Timbers at Providence Park on September 23.

At the post match Press Conference Dover said that the team’s chances of qualifying is not impossible, but highly improbable.

(By Rawle Toney)