Both Sporting Kansas City and the Portland Timbers entered the match with undefeated streaks on the line. Both teams came out ready to play, generating chances early.
Portland’s Andres Flores had a good opportunity early when he gathered the ball from a scrum outside the box but launched his shot over the bar. A minute later Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal slipped a ball through to Gerso who probably should have taken the shot but instead tried to find the onrushing Daniel Salloi but the pass was deflected out for a corner.
The Timbers had more shots through the first half but Sporting KC had the better of the chances when Johnny Russell found Salloi in the box.