Portland Timbers secure comfortable victory over Vancouver Whitecaps

The Portland Timbers boosted their MLS playoffs hopes with a 3-0 away win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Pedro Morales should have handed the home side the lead in the fifth minute when he latched onto Mauro Rosales's cross into the box, but he somehow missed the target from three yards out as he headed over.

The Timbers began to work their way into the game and went close when Alvas Powell beat a man on the edge of the box and fired an effort at goal, which went just wide of the target.

In the second half, Portland took the lead in the 51st minute when Powell turned in Diego Valeri's cross from the right in at the near post.

The Timbers and Powell almost got a second goal minutes later when Rodney Wallace's cross fell to the midfielder at the back post and he powered an effort at goal that was well saved by David Ousted.

Vancouver nearly got an equaliser when Darren Mattocks latched onto a through ball from Rosales and drove into the penalty area, but his powerful shot was well saved by Donovan Ricketts.

Portland doubled their lead when Maximiliano Urruti found the net in style, as he collected Michael Harrington's pass and drilled an effort into the roof of the net.

The visitors secured their win as Wallace netted 11 minutes from time, with a neat finish past Ousted.