For the second time in three games to open the 2015 season presented by Simple, the Portland Timbers conceded just two shots on goal and registered a clean sheet, playing Western Conference foe Sporting Kansas City to a scoreless draw in front of 20,848 fans on Saturday night at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. The shutout on the road marked Portland's second clean sheet in its first three matches of the 2015 season and the team's fifth in its last six regular-season games dating back to Oct. 8, 2014. The result helped the Timbers extend their unbeaten streak against Western Conference sides to 11 consecutive games (5-0-6) since the 2014 season. Formerly a member of the Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City was moved to the Western Conference in 2015 with the addition of MLS expansion clubs New York City FC and Orlando City SC. The Timbers (0-0-3, 3pts) are unbeaten in seven straight games, dating back to Oct. 4, 2014, and have conceded just two goals in their first three matches of the 2015 season - both against defending MLS Cup-champion LA Galaxy in a 2-2 draw on March 15 at Providence Park. Against Sporting KC (0-1-2, 2pts), Portland tallied its third straight positive result on the road at Sporting Park, improving its record to 2-1-1 all-time in all competitions at the venue. The Timbers have not lost a match at Sporting Park since their inaugural MLS season in 2011. Blocking eight shots and keeping the home side from many clear chances in the run of play, the Timbers turned more shots on frame than Sporting KC during the match, logging three shots on goal. Defender Nat Borchers flicked a header on goal that was saved in the 31st minute after connecting on a free kick from midfielder Jack Jewsbury. In the second half, forward Fanendo Adi held off a defender in the penalty box and delivered a shot with his left foot that was denied from close range by Sporting KC goalkeeper Luis Marin in the 62nd minute. Midfielder/forward Rodney Wallace registered a shot on goal for the third straight match, but was denied from distance early in the game. Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey recorded his second shutout with the Timbers, while Portland has conceded an average of fewer than three shots on goal per game (2.6) through its first three matches of 2015. Portland also improved its road record to 10-10-15 (.500) in 35 games away from home since the start of the 2013 season. The Timbers continue on the road for a second straight match as the team heads north of the border to face off against Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, March 28, at BC Place in Vancouver; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday's match will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM. Press release from the Portland Timbers
