Now that the Portland Timbers have tasted success, settling fora draw is more of a disappointment.
The Timbers extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches witha scoreless tie against the New England Revolution on Thursdaynight. Portland kept Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth busywith 22 shots, but couldn't find the back of the net.
Portland's streak is its longest without a loss since the teamjoined Major League Soccer in 2011. It demonstrates the turnaroundthe Timbers have made since last season, when they finishedsecond-to-last in the Western Conference and out of theplayoffs.
''Obviously it's not a loss, it's a tie. We get a point,'' saidTimbers coach Caleb Porter, who took over the team this season.''But we feel we let two points slip away.''
Shuttleworth was stellar, finishing with nine saves as theTimbers dominated possession. Donovan Ricketts had four saves forPortland.
The Timbers stand at 3-1-5 on the season and Thursday's draw wastheir first match without a goal.
''It's hard to say we got shut out. We shut ourselves out,''Portland midfielder Will Johnson said. ''We had our chances, theywere there.''
The Revolution are 2-3-3, but remain winless on the road.
Portland was coming off a 3-2 road win Saturday against SportingKansas City. Rodney Wallace scored the winner for Portland in the58th minute. The Revolution defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-2 onSaturday, snapping a five-match unbeaten streak
New England was without left back Chris Tierney after he wassuspended a game ''for a reckless challenge that endangered thesafety of his opponent,'' a tackle against Sebastian Le Toux lastweekend against the Union. Tierney also was fined for thetackle.
Portland's Darlington Nagbe missed an opportunity in the 15thminute when he got a second chance on a shot that deflected offShuttleworth but couldn't finish.
New England's Ryan Guy's attempt in the 42nd minute caromed offthe fingertips of Ricketts and sailed just over the net, and thetwo teams went to the break at 0-0.
Portland forward Ryan Johnson's strike from inside the box inthe 53rd minute was bobbled slightly by Shuttleworth, but he divedon it just as Johnson was coming in for a second chance.
The Timbers were hurt shortly thereafter when center back MikaelSilvestre went down and had to be carried from the field by astretcher. He was replaced by Andrew Jean-Baptiste.
Silvestre was signed by Portland in February to bring someveteran experience to the backfield, after playing for EnglishPremier League sides Manchester United from 1999-2008 and Arsenalfrom 2008-2010.
The extent of the 35-year-old defender's injury was not clear.Porter said after the game that he did not have an update onSilvestre.
Portland dominated possession for most of the rest of the match.Diego Valeri had a high-arcing free kick in the 68th minute thatfailed to reach teammate Wallace before Shuttleworth got to it.Valeri got a good look in the 82nd minute, but it went wide by justinches.
''Bobby did a nice job,'' New England coach Jay Heaps said.''It's the second game in a row he's done a nice job, and it(Jeld-Wen) is a tough environment.''
Ricketts may have saved the game for the Timbers late in thematch when he dived to stop a breakaway shot by Saer Sene.
It was Ricketts' third clean sheet of the season.
''You need to be hungry and you need to dig deep to win games,''Porter said in the end. ''I thought we did that, but we justcouldn't find the goal.''
The Timbers Army supporter's group unfurled a banner reading''Boston, Oregon,'' and offered well wishes for Revolution defenderKevin Alston, who was diagnosed with leukemia and is outindefinitely. Another sign displayed at Jeld-Wen said ''BostonStrong.''
Portland also welcomed 8-year-old Atticus Lane-Dupre and hissoccer team, the Green Machine, to the match. On Wednesday theGreen Machine played the Timbers in a match arranged by the teamand Make-A-Wish Oregon.
The Green Machine won 10-9, paced by Atticus' four goals,including the winner.
The attendance was announced at 20,674, the 39th sellout atJeld-Wen Field.
