Timbers strike early, topple Rochester 2-0

Gregor, Griffin get goals and defense does the rest

By Steve Brandon

LocalNewsDaily.com, May 14, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

The Portland Timbers put perhaps their most complete game of the season together as they beat Rochester 2-0 Sunday at PGE Park.

Midfielder Andrew Gregor scored his league-high fourth goal of the year and then defender Leonard Griffin tallied on a rare, 35-yard booming shot in the first half.

Portland's defense, meanwhile, was rarely in trouble, as the back line of Griffin, Scot Thompson, Cameron Knowles and newcomer Justin Thompson, making his first Portland start, kept Rochester at bay.

Defensive midfielder Tom Poltl also helped disrupt the Raging Rhinos' attempts to get into the final third of the field, helping Josh Wicks gain his first league shutout of the season.

The crowd was announced as 3,041.

Portland improved to 2-1-1, while Rochester slipped to 2-2-2 one night after winning 3-1 in San Francisco against the expansion California Victory.

The Timbers are off until May 25, when they play host to California in the first of five games -- count 'em, five -- against the Victory.

Portland was coming off a 2-2 tie Friday at home against Seattle in which the Timbers struggled early but managed to score twice in the final 24 minutes.

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