Penalty kick allows Timbers to draw with SKC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:20 am

Dairon Asprilla converted a penalty kick in the 85th minute as the Portland Timbers earned a 2-2 draw against host Sporting Kansas City on Sunday night in the final match this season at Children's Mercy Park.

Ilie Sanchez was given a red card for a foul in the box to set up the Timbers (13-13-7, 46 points) for the draw. The goal was the 20th allowed by SKC in the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time this season.

Daniel Salloi put Sporting KC ahead 2-1 in the 46th minute with his first goal of the season. After leading SKC with 11 goals in 2018, Salloi had not been able to find the back of the net despite being fourth on the team with 44 shots.

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Gianluca Busio actually had the first chance, but his attempt hit the left post. It landed at the feet of Salloi, who took advantage.

Sporting KC (10-15-8, 38 points), who were eliminated from playoff contention with a midweek loss at Minnesota United, are winless in five straight matches. It's the first time in nine years that Sporting will not be in the MLS playoffs.

Sporting were on the front foot early in the first half, outshooting Portland 9-0 in the first 25 minutes. But they could not get one past Steve Clark.

But two shots in two minutes by Portland changed everything. The first one was just over the bar, and the second one, in the 28th minute by Sebastian Blanco from the center of the box, caromed off the crossbar into the net.

Dairon Asprilla
Dairon Asprilla
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

But the lead lasted about a minute. Johnny Russell arched a beautiful pass into the box, where Krisztian Nemeth headed it in for the equalizer.

Late in the first half, players from each side were sent off with red cards for violent contact.

Brian Fernandez of Portland was shown the red card first after a dustup with Felipe Gutierrez, who was shown a yellow card. A replay of the red card revealed that Roger Espinoza had put his hands to the throat of Blanco, trying to keep Blanco away from Gutierrez, and Espinoza was tossed.