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Played
October 19, 2011 8:05 PM EDT
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium — Washington, District of Columbia
Referee:‬ J. Marrufo‎
Attendance:‬ 14317‎
 

D.C. United 1-1 Portland Timbers: Dwayne De Rosario takes Golden Boot lead but D.C. out of playoffs

Portland remains barely alive in the playoff chase thanks to a 1-1 draw which eliminated D.C. from postseason contention.

By Seth Vertelney

Kenny Cooper, Eric Brunner, Portland Timbers, MLS
Ned Dishman
WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United and Portland Timbers played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium, with goals from Kenny Cooper and Dwayne De Rosario. The result eliminated D.C. United from playoff contention, while keeping Portland's playoff hopes marginally alive.

Portland grabbed early control of the match and, 24 minutes in, took the lead. Kenny Cooper got in behind the United defense to head home a Rodney Wallace cross from close range.

The home team came out in the second half knowing it needed two goals to save its season and started to commit men forward. The Timbers were content to sit back and absorb pressure, attempting to hit back on the counterattack.

"The basis of my pregame speech: 'Let's go down swinging,'" D.C. coach Ben Olsen said.

MVP candidate Dwayne De Rosario gave his side a lifeline in the 73rd minute with an excellent turn and left-footed finish in the box which beat Perkins to his near post. The goal was his 16th of the season and put him alone in first place in the Golden Boot race.

Portland substitute Brian Umony had a pair of golden chance to win the match in the last 10 minutes.

Together the teams combined for 13 shots in stoppage time, and 24 after the 77th minute, according to Opta, in a hectic and pulsating end to the match.

"It was a bit of a blur, that last 20, 30 minutes - in fact the whole second half - but I was extremely proud of the guys tonight," Olsen said. "I can't believe nobody scored down that stretch."


D.C. United

28
B. Hamid
Goalkeeper
-
15
Ethan White
Defender
91′
-
14
-
24
Daniel Woolard
Defender
71′
-
22
Chris Korb
Defender
-
4
Perry Kitchen
Defender
-
14
Dwayne De Rosario
Midfielder
73′
-
14
A. Najar
Midfielder
-
-
Santino Quaranta
Midfielder
-
16
Josh Wolff
Striker
-
9
-

Portland Timbers

-
1
Troy Perkins
Goalkeeper
-
22
Rodney Wallace
Defender
79′
-
98
Mamadou Danso
Defender
-
5
Eric Brunner
Defender
-
24
Eric Alexander
Midfielder
63′
-
14
James Marcelin
Midfielder
-
21
-
-
Jack Jewsbury
Defender
-
22
Lovel Palmer
Midfielder
-
11
Kalif Alhassan
Midfielder
-
33
Kenny Cooper
Striker
24′ 84′

Substitutes

31
Joe Willis
Goalkeeper
-
7
Stephen King
Midfielder
-
19
Clyde Simms
Midfielder
-
13
Austin da Luz
Midfielder
71′ 90′
-
6
Kurt Morsink
Midfielder
-
-
-
23
-

Substitutes

-
20
Jake Gleeson
Goalkeeper
-
25
Steve Purdy
Defender
-
12
David Horst
Defender
-
9
Bright Dike
Striker
84′ 85′
-
-
Brian Umony
Striker
63′

Coach/Manager

-
Ben Olsen
Coach
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Kenny Cooper Kenny Cooper
Striker
NY Red Bulls
11 2
Chris Wondolowski Chris Wondolowski
Striker
San Jose Earthquakes
11 1
Thierry Henry Thierry Henry
Striker
NY Red Bulls
9 0
Saer Sene Saer Sene
Striker
New England
7 1
Maicon Santos Maicon Santos
Striker
D.C. United
7 0