Timbers topple Minnesota for 4th straight win, DC United held

portland: Dairon Asprilla scored on a header in the 61st minute and the Portland Timbers downed Minnesota United 1-0 on Saturday night.

The Timbers have won a season-best four straight matches as they jockey for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Minnesota has lost three straight games ater losing just once in the previous 11.

Portland (11-8-12) moved up the Western Conference standings into fith, while Minnesota (13-12-5) dropped to sixth, just in front of Real Salt Lake.

“I’m very happy to be able to continue this streak and just to win in general,” defender Claudio Bravo said through a translator. “It gives us all the confidence we need, and as a defender, it’s good to keep the goals at zero.”

Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic saved two atempts by Minnesota’s Mender Garcia in the first 17 minutes. But neither side could break through and it was 0-0 at the half.

Asprilla’s goal came off a corner and sailed to the far corner, well out of Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair’s reach. Asprilla celebrated his eighth goal of the season with a backflip.

Loons midfielder Emanuel Reynoso did not play because of a swollen ankle from last weekend’s 3-0 home loss to FC Dallas. Forward Franco Fragapane was suspended because of card accumulation. Forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane did not travel to Portland with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Matai Akinmboni became the thirdyoungest player in Major League Soccer history in DC United’s 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.

United coach Wayne Rooney started Akinmboni at 15 years, 328 days. The only younger players in MLS have been DC’S Freddy Adu (14 years, 334 days on April 3, 2004) and Vancouver’s Alphonso Davies (15 years, 327 days of July 16, 2016).

Zac Macmath made three saves for Real Salt Lake and David ochoa had seven saves for DC, which has the fewest points in the league and has been eliminated from playoff contention.

RSL (11-9-10) had a 16-8 advantage in shots over United (7-17-6), with eight shots on goal to three.

RSL next plays on Wednesday against Austin on the road, and United will visit Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday. Diego Rubio found the back of the net for the Colorado Rapids in a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Rubio’s penalty kick put the Rapids (9-12-9) ahead for good at 2-1 in the 33rd minute.