Borchers did it, in the 18-yard box, with the beard.
Portland Timbers defender and former Real Salt Lake fan favorite Nat Borchers came back to bite his former team in Rio Tinto stadium with a bouncing header past RSL keeper Nick Rimando in the 95th minute after 4 complete minutes of stoppage time. Borchers tried to respect his former team and fans with an ultra-conservative celebration after breaking the hearts of RSL fans and players alike.
Most of the first 30 minutes of the match took place in Portland’s third of the pitch. RSL fired off 10 shots in the first half, prompting 3 saves from Portland keeper Adam Kwarasey. RSL held the ball for 64% of the time in the first 45 minutes.
The first 30 minutes of the second half were rather quiet, with possession being exchanged mostly at midfield. Rimando came up with a huge save in the 71st minute by pushing a shot inside the box over the crossbar.
In whole, Rimando ended up with 3 saves, and counterpart Kwarasey finished his clean sheet with 5 saves. Portland’s 35.3% possession was the lowest in the tenure of head coach Caleb Porter (2013).
RSL will be in action again next week with the 6th-place Seattle Sounders at Rio Tinto Stadium. Coverage begins once again on ESPN700 at 7:00, with first kick at 8:00.
