Johnson's free kick helps Portland down San Jose
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Will Johnson fired home a brilliant free kick in the 78th minute of Portland's match at Jeld-Wen Field on Sunday, a goal that held up as the game-winner in the Timbers' 1-0 defeat of the 10-man San Jose Earthquakes.
After a scoreless first half with neither side causing much of a threat, the match turned in Portland's favor with the showing of a second yellow card to Alan Gordon.
The Earthquakes striker extended his elbow while challenging for a header in the 69th minute, catching Mikael Silvestre and drawing blood from the Frenchman.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It took the Timbers just nine minutes to take advantage of the extra man as they made the most of a set piece with 12 minutes to play.
Kalif Alhassan was brought down by Ramiro Corrales at the edge of the penalty area and Johnson made the visitors pay, curling a superb shot over the Earthquakes wall and into the upper corner of Jon Busch's net.
The Timbers closed out the match to preserve the clean sheet and improve to 2-1-3 on the season, good enough for third place in the Western Conference with nine points.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Jose's record of 2-3-2 sees the club stay tied with four other Western Conference teams on eight points.