It's a missed chance for struggling Timbers

Diego Chara.

Photo by Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com.

On another night, the Portland Timbers might have beat Chivas USA by four or five goals.

But, that wasn't Saturday night.

Despite dominating much of the action, the Timber couldn't put away one of its numerous chances to score and lost 1-0 before another capacity crowd at Jeld-Wen Field.

Portland held a 19-8 edge in shots and had nearly twice as many passes in the game, but that couldn't overcome Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who made six mostly routine saves or Danny Califf's goal in the 68th minute.

The loss was Portland's fifth straight, four of which have come following the dismissal of coach John Spencer.

"I thought the effort was there," interim coach Gavin Wilkinson said afterward. "We were just unlucky.

"But the guys haven't given up."

The Timbers return to action Sunday, Aug. 5, when they host FC Dallas, eight days after a 5-0 loss in Dallas.

Forward Kris Boyd had six shots and three on target, but struggled the most in the game as he missed several solid chances, including one directly in front of the goal in the first half.

Boyd, who leads the team in scoring with seven goals, took much of the blame for the loss, as did Perkins, who came out of the goal to punch away a free kick to Califf only to arrive late.

"I let the team down there," Perkins said. "That's a play I should have done differently."

"I had numerous chances, but the finish just wasn't there," Boyd said. "It's tough when you've got chances and can't put them away."

The loss left the Timbers at 5-12-4, 19 points and kept them in last place in the Western Conference.

Chivas improved to 7-8-5, 26 points, with three of its wins, and nine of its points, coming against the Timbers - all wins by one goal.

A win by Portland would've moved it into a tie for seventh and within a point of sixth.