When Portland Timbers winger Dairon Asprilla trapped the ball, spun and fired a low-driven shot past Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia at his near post, it felt like a moment over a year in the making.
Saturday night’s game marked the first time the Timbers have played in front of anything resembling a full-capacity crowd since their 1-0 win against Nashville SC on March 8, 2020.
Portland came out firing behind an exceptionally rowdy home crowd.
But instead of one of the team’s numerous talented attackers, it was right back Jaylin Lindsey who scored the opening goal in the 28th minute.
Eight minutes after that, Asprilla sent fans into jubilation with his opportunistic goal.
Momentum shifted back to Kansas City early in the second half as the visitors peppered goalkeeper Steve Clark with shots and pinned Portland into its defensive third.
The win marked the return of several important players from injury.
The Argentine, who hasn’t played for the Timbers since tearing his ACL last September, replaced Diego Valeri in the 80th minute to raucous applause.
To be back on the field with our people and 80% capacity, winning the game.
Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, Providence Park saw 162 consecutive sellouts, which accounts for every home game the team has played since joining MLS in 2011.
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