Maybe it took the magic of a “blue supermoon,” or maybe it was spurred by having his mom in the stands, but Santiago Moreno found his first goal of 2023 for the Portland Timbers on Wednesday.
Moreno was crucial with a goal and an assist as the Timbers held on for a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on a cool summer night at Providence Park.
“A very special moment for myself to score a goal and also do it in front of my mom,” Moreno said in Spanish. “I haven’t been able to score this season, so it’s been rough, but to be able to score in front of my mom just makes it very special. For me, being able to score when we get the three points makes it even better.”
With the win, the Timbers (7-11-8, 29 points) move into a tie for 11th in the Western Conference with Sporting Kansas City with eight matches to go. FC Dallas (9-10-6, 33 points) sit in the ninth and final playoff spot through Wednesday’s contests.
The first half between Portland and RSL was contentious at times, with referee decisions highlighting some of the more tense moments.
Portland started out on the front foot, making strong runs into the box but not quite finding the final, decisive pass. That was until the 13th minute when Evander found Juan David Mosquera, whose blooping, one-touch cross found the head of fellow Colombian national Moreno for the goal.
It was Moreno’s first goal of a rough season as he’s played through ankle injuries, transfer request drama, and a coaching change.
“Santi is a great player, talented player, and he’s having a difficult season,” Diego Chará said. “I think he has enough talent to change that. Be patient and just wait for the opportunity. Today, I think he played a great game. Looking forward, I think Santi is going to be crucial for us, for the team.”
Portland led 1-0 and sought a few more in the first half, but a handful of mistakes led to squandered opportunities in high expected-goal moments.
In the 31st minute, Real Salt Lake midfielder Braian Ojeda collided with Chará. With an Oscar-worthy kick of his head following a swipe by Chará, Ojeda was rewarded as Portland’s captain earned a yellow card after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
David Bingham made a key save for the Timbers in the 38th minute, diving and extending his right arm to smack away a long shot by Nelson Palacio.
The first of a trio of miscues by Moreno in first half goal-scoring opportunities came in the 42nd minute, as Mosquera played him a perfect ball — unmarked — and he mis-hit the shot from right by the penalty spot.
Ojeda and Chará met for another controversial referee decision in the opening minute of first half stoppage time. With Chará chasing, Ojeda pursued the ball and swung both elbows back, making contact with Chará's face. He received an immediate yellow card, but the play was not reviewed for potential violent conduct — unlike Chará's phantom swipe 15 minutes earlier.
“It’s hard to talk about the referee’s decisions,” Chará said. “I disagree with what happened because I think it was a different situation. My foul that would never be a red card, and they check the VAR to a yellow card. The other one, he lifted the elbow, and they never checked it. It’s weird Is it something against the team or something against me? The whole team are really, really worried, because for the last few games, the decision from the referee have been against us.”
The Timbers led 1-0 at the half, but likely felt as if they should have done more given their consistent ability to move the ball upfield.
Real Salt Lake came out of the break seeking an equalizer, moving far more effectively on the attack. Ojeda had a shot saved by Bingham in the 56th minute, Andrés Gómez snuck past Dario Zuparic for a shot into the side netting in the 61st, and Brayan Vera pinged a shot off the far post less than a minute later.
Back in the 57th minute, Portland brought on Yimmi Chará for Sebastián Blanco and Felipe Mora for Franck Boli.
Moreno came up big once again for Portland in the 64th minute, receiving a long ball from Claudio Bravo and settling it at his feet before scooting it over to Mora for the goal. The Timbers led 2-0 and had fully reclaimed momentum despite some scares on the other end.
In the 72nd minute, Moreno exited to applause after a strong performance, replaced by Dairon Asprilla. Bryan Acosta replaced Evander, who didn’t make much of an impact during his shift.
Real Salt Lake pulled one back with a goal by Cristian “Chicho” Arango in the 83rd minute, credited after Brayan Vera ripped one toward goal that deflected off Arango and past Bingham.
Portland brought on Larrys Mabiala late for Cristhian Paredes, solidifying its defense and maintaining a one-goal lead the rest of the way despite dangerous moments for RSL.
“I thought it was a good continuation from our last game in the second half,” Timbers interim coach Miles Joseph, celebrating his first win at the helm, said. “That was the message going into the game was to continue on from the second half of last game, and the guys put in a great effort in the first half to start off on the right foot.”
Next up: The Timbers head to Seattle for a date with the rival Sounders. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with a live stream available on the Apple TV app with a subscription to MLS Season Pass.
-- Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke