POSTGAME: 21 Unbeaten - Timbers Win, But Lose Knowles

The Portland Timbers extend their league leading, record-breaking, unbeaten streak to 21 matches and sneak out of Saputo Stadium with three points on a late-game goal by Ryan Pore. Pore has been on a tear since returning recently, finding the back of the net in the club's last four matches. The Timbers leap back into 1st place, now a point ahead of Charleston in the standings. A hard fought match, both teams showed high levels of intensity and effort, reflecting just how high the stakes have become as the season winds to a close. The Timbers are playing with a ton of confidence and have built even more momentum, as they're set to play the next 2 of 3 on the road, heading now to Rochester for a matchup with the fifth place Rhinos on Saturday.

- Action was back and forth all match, both teams getting their chances to take shots on goal. Keita made his presence known early, making forceful runs and stretching the defense. However, on the other side, Roberto Brown was equally threatening and Montreal closed the first half with their best scoring opportunities. In many ways, the Timbers were lucky to come away with a 0 - 0 halftime score.

- The aggression level picked up in the 2nd half. There were quite a few hard challenges and rough fouls, ultimately resulting in yellow cards on both sides (3 for the Impact), but to be expected when emotions are running high. Fatigue became a visible factor and each Coach used their substitutions liberally. It became quite the game of human chess, neither man willing to give up a strategic inch. With the Timbers starting to get pushed around, Coach Wilkinson pushed back - finishing the match with a more phsyical lineup, taking out Nimo for Farber, and opting to go with Forrest instead of Keita. Smart decisions in a relentlessly paced game.

- The Kevin Forrest substitution proved to be decisive, as he made his presence known right from the get go, picking up a yellow card on his first touch. After a series of fouls, his tanacity finally paid off in the 83rd minute, as he found his way up the sideline, sending a whipping waist-high cross through to Pore for a one-timer into the back of the net. A great example of how the Timbers can be so instantaneous and deadly on their counter attacks. Portland's bench came through again. In a tough, grind it out game, the team's depth will eventually wear down their opponent.

- The Timbers defense was incredible tonight. They did a great job of swarming the Impact players and suffocating any runs near the box. Although, the real battle in this game took place in the midfield and Mcmanus was solid in defending and pestering O'Brien. However, the depth of our defense will be put to the test the rest of the year, as Cameron Knowles looks to now be lost with a severe leg injury. Occurring late in the 2nd half, Knowles dove for a loose ball, crashing into an Impact player, coming away with a potential broken leg. Although no official word is in, judging from the gruesome nature of the incident and Knowles' departure on a stretcher, it seems a safe bet that he'll be out for the season and probably the playoffs. Best of luck to Cameron and a speedy recovery, one of the top defenders in the USL, he'll surely be missed. A tough pill to swallow and one that makes this victory very bitter-sweet.

Video highlights in French on the Montreal website.