The Timbers nearly grabbed an early lead in the very first minute when a cross from Scot Thompson found the head of Mamadou Danso, but the defender’s strong header was right at Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow and easily saved. The Rhinos would get their first good opportunity five minutes later when a cross from Tiger Fitzpatrick was met by the head of Johnny Menyongar, but the shot was just wide right.

It was obvious from early on that it was going to be a very physical match, and also obvious that center referee Fotis Bazakos was going to keep his whistle in his pocket.

In the 16th minute, confusion in the Timbers defensive box nearly gave the visitors an early lead when goalkeeper Steve Cronin lost control of a high cross, and Errol McFarlane was able to chip the ball towards the open goal mouth, but it was cleared by Portland’s Brian Farber. Eight minutes later, another dangerous Rhinos cross, this time by Ze Roberto, resulted in a good headed shot just wide right, this time by a diving McFarlane.

In the 26th minute, the Timbers would threaten when Mandjou Keita made a dangerous turn on the ball only 15 yards out from goal, but his shot was blocked wide right off a defender’s leg. In the 41st minute, the Timbers appeared ready to take the lead when Thompson cut back to give himself an open look from near the corner of the Rhinos 18 yard box, but his curling shot slipped just inches past the left post. The Rhinos would have a few good late chances, with Menyongar’s shot going wide right from 18 yards out, and Andrew Gregor’s shot being smothered by Cronin, and it was 0-0 at the half.

The Rhinos would take the lead seven minutes into the second half when a deep cross by Steve Kindel eluded Cronin, and a header at the far post by McFarlane slipped inside the post to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead, and was the first time the Timbers had trailed in league play at home all year.

Six minutes later, the Rhinos were certain to widen their lead when McFarlane was unmarked and had a wide open net to head the ball in after a cross from Roberto, but somehow the Rochester striker headed over the net to the astonishment of the crowd, and the missed goal finally lit a fire in the home Timbers.

Three minutes later, a four on three break led by George Josten led to an open shot by Keita from the top of the box, but his shot was a few yards over the bar. For much of the rest of the half, the Timbers would control play, though both teams had shots, but none seriously were threatening, and the game looked headed for a 1-0 Rhinos win until the 81st minute, when a Timbers blocked shot rebounded out to Ryan Pore, who hit a hard low strike from the edge of the box that was just inside the left post past a diving Vallow, and the Timbers had leveled the score at 1-1.

Seconds later, the Timbers fans thought the Timbers had taken a lead when Keita had a good look from 15 yards out, but the shot was just wide left and into the side netting.

The game became more physical and fouls finally started to be called, and cards were coming out (the Rhinos would receive four in the last six minutes of the match, the Timbers would receive one), but it appeared that the tough physical match would end up in a 1-1 draw.

But a last chance for the Rhinos would steal the three points as McFarlane was able to control a loose ball which stuck to his feet, and blasted a low shot from 15 yards out that eluded Cronin and the Timbers defense just as stoppage time was starting, and the Timbers had allowed two goals for the first time this season, and had only stoppage time to try to recover from a 2-1 Rhinos lead.

The second half had featured many stoppages, and five or six minutes might have been expected, but the fourth official only announced two minutes. But as it happened, five minutes would be played anyway, and though for much of the time even the Timbers goalkeeper was in the attacking end, and the Timbers had a few good late free kicks, the Timbers never seriously threatened to get that goal back, and the streak that started on April 30 would finally come to an end, as the Rhinos would hold on for the 2-1 win.

Scott Vallow recorded one save in the winning effort, while Steve Cronin recorded five saves for the Timbers.