Portland, OR – The Portland Timbers earned a crucial win in 1 at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday.
First half goals from Diego Chara and Jorge Perlaza gave the Timbers the lead before Vancouver pulled one back through Camilo.
Camilo's strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal, as the Portland took all three points to strengthen its position in the playoff hunt.
Chara recorded his first goal of the year to put the Timbers in front just two minutes into the match.
Portland won the ball in the midfield and quickly countered, with Chara gaining possession at the top of the box before ripping a shot past Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
Perlaza doubled the lead in the 33rd minute following a scramble in the box. The Timbers striker eluded his mark to collect the ball and flick a shot into the side netting for his sixth goal of the year.
Portland were in a comfortable position for much of the match, but a Camilo goal in the 88th minute led to some nervy waning moments for the Timbers.
Camilo got on the end of a long ball into the box before making a silky turn inside and curling a brilliant shot past Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins. It was Camilo's eighth goal of the year.
But it was not enough to claim any points, as time ran out before Vancouver had a chance at an equalizer.
With the win, the Timbers (8-12-5) snap their two game losing skid to remain in seventh place in the Western Conference with 29 points on the season.
The Whitecaps (3-13-9) have endured a tough debut season in MLS, accumulating just 18 points. They stay bottom in the West with their 13th loss of the season, the most in MLS this year.
With no wins away from home, Vancouver will be relieved to return to Empire Field as it hosts the Houston Dynamo in its next outing on August 27th.
Portland will return to action on Wednesday in a massive home match against Chivas USA. Chivas currently sit in sixth in the West, just two points ahead of Portland.
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