Morales sparks Whitecaps to win over Timbers

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PORTLAND, OR (NEWS1130) – Designated player Pedro Morales had a pair of goals on first half penalty kicks and set up Jordan Harvey for a second half tally as the Vancouver Whitecaps topped the Portland Timbers 4-3.

The ‘Caps earned their first win in Portland since the two clubs joined Major League Soccer as expansion franchises in 2011. Vancouver has one win and one draw in two Cascadia Cup matches this season as it tries to defend its title.

The Timbers got off to a quick start as Maximiliano Urruti scored in just the third minute to make it 1-0.

Vancouver responded in the 16th minute. Erik Hurtado was taken down in the box, setting up Morales for his first of two PK goals on the day. Just 10 minutes later, Sebastian Fernandez was hauled down inside the box to earn another penalty, which Morales made good on.

Hurtado added another goal for Vancouver just before halftime, as his first shot was stopped but he made no mistake on the rebound, giving him goals in four straight matches.

The Whitecaps took a 4-1 advantage early in the second half, as Morales set up Harvey near the top of the box, and he scored on a cross-goal shot.

Gastón Fernández and Canadian Will Johnson scored over the final 15 minutes for Portland to make it close, but Vancouver held on.

The Whitecaps have gone undefeated in six straight MLS matches, with three wins and three draws over that stretch. In 12 matches this season, Vancouver has five wins, five draws and just two losses, as it sits in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The ‘Caps will be back in action on Saturday with a road match against the Philadelphia Union.

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