Timbers Cut Earthquakes Down

Went to my first Major League Soccer game in Portland to watch the Timbers host the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park. It was a very overcast day but wasn't too hot and was rather pleasant weather to watch some football. Portland have been in some pretty decent form lately and were wanting to continue this good start, unlike their poor performance of last years defense.
San Jose were looking to build on some good form and an away win would put them in the hunt for play off slots which are starting to be much sought after now the mid season mark is approaching fast.
There was hardly an empty seat in the house with the Timbers and 'Quakes supporter bays were in full song throughout the entire game which was excellent to see and hear.
Game was a rather scrappy affair with the home side not able to string passes together to mount serious challenges on the 'quakes defensive lines. Passes were either hit too hard or they were just over running weak passes when trying to mount an attack. I blame this on the artificial turf that Providence Park has, as it just looked as if the ball was behaving much different to what it should on a more conventional grass pitch.
Timbers had through besides the scrappy passages of attacking play managed to shut down the visitors ensuring that they went into the half with no corners or no shots on goal.

It took a while but late in the first half the hosts hit the lead and just never looked like blowing this despite some promising passages from the 'quakes. Late in the second half the Timbers had doubled their lead with a second from Argentine Diego Valeri, who in my opinion didn't have a great game.

The referee was utterly confusing as there were brutal 2 footed lunges that were not given yet simple pushing and shoving that was carded and even a San Jose player was sent off for a bump that makes even the worst A-League referee look like a perfect official. The consistency was just all over the place and confused a seasoned football follower like me. I feel sorry for American football fans as this to them is normal, which now I see why the national team performs so poorly against other nations and struggle in the World Cup.

As for food and beverages, beers were 9 dollars and the usual Bud and Coors. There were more craft beers which Portland is more known for so if you want a big brand beer here, forget it really as the rest of the city doesn't really stock them either. Food was also similarly priced so I didn't have any in the ground as I had sliced pizza and a craft beer at the pizza shop across the road and plaza which was delicious and recommended. That cost me for 2 slices and a beer 12 dollars. The slices were rather big and the beer went down nicely as it was an IPA which is quite the thing for the Portland region.
I did however buy a coke and a water which was 3.50 for the water and 4.25 for the coke making it 7.75 all up which isn't too bad but I guess not ideal for stadium beverages not alcoholic.

I will be heading down to Providence Park next week to watch another game so lets hope I can write up another positive experience in the rather unique city of Portland.