Toronto FC dominated the stat sheet against the Portland Timbers, but couldn't leave Providence Park with a result after a great goalkeeping performance by Timbers keeper Jake Gleeson. 

Will Johnson scored on his return to Portland, cancelling out Fanendo Adi's opener. But a well taken free kick by Diego Valeri was the difference in this one, as the Timbers escaped with a 2-1 win.  

The Reds will finally return to BMO Field after recording 11 points in eight games on the road. Greg Vanney, Johnson and Drew Moor spoke to the media following Sunday's loss. Here is some of what they had to say. 

Greg Vanney
On his reactions to the game...

"All in all I thought we deserved something out of this game but you have to make plays, that’s the sport. You have to make plays in the 18 and we couldn’t do that today on the attacking side.”

On if he spoke with midfielder Will Johnson ahead of his return to Portland…

“Not so much. We knew there was some anticipation for him in coming back and playing here so, for me, I don’t talk too much of that stuff up. I let the player handle it. He’s veteran. He knows how he wants to approach this and go into it so I don’t make too much about it. I thought he did well, obviously. He got a goal off a good finish but was sheer tenacity to get to the ball first and he made a good strike. He did what he does. He works hard, he connects the vast majority of his passes, he helps us defensively and gives us this competitors mentality that’s a part of our group now. I thought he did well.”

On moving on from a loss...

“It’s a long season. It’s a league where anybody can beat anybody on any given day so with any of these losses you can’t ride the roller coaster of result to result. You’ve got to stay strong and stick with the things you’re trying to do and we’ve done well up to this point. We’ll put this behind us quickly. It’s one loss. All-in-all we had a decent performance for the day and put ourselves in positions to do more. This will go behind us and we’ll start to really look forward getting into the new BMO Field and playing in front of our fans. We’ve had a great run in these eight games.”

On if he’s satisfied with the eight game road stretch…

"I would say I’m content with where we are in terms of points and all that stuff. Satisfied? I don’t know if satisfied is the right word. I feel like over the course of the eight games, in every game we were there. We were there to take something in every game and as you mentioned in several of them we did take something. I thought this was another one, we were there today to take away something. Whether it be a points or three points, we were in it."

Will Johnson
On his return to Portland...

“Bittersweet. Obviously, [it’s] fun to play against those guys, fun to bring my guys here to compete against an organization I have a lot of respect for. [I’m] disappointed that we didn’t leave with points but the experience was good.”

On the reception he received from the fans...

“Same as always. Other than the game I have all the respect in the world for those guys and they know it. I think the feeling is mutual. Obviously, I compete for my team during the 90 minutes but there’s always a part of me that respects them no matter what.”

On his goal...

“It was good. I wish I would have got the second one. I’m more bummed out about missing that one than scoring the one but to score in any game in this league, it’s not easy to do, and that feels good. I just wish it would have counted for more than just a consolation goal.”

On returning to Toronto...

“We have to turn around quick. We have a game in six days now. We have to travel home tomorrow [with] positive energy. Understand that 11 points from eight games is still a good clip. We feel that we left some points out there today but we can’t let that feeling linger because we’re going home to a beautiful new stadium that we need to put on a show on Saturday.”

On if he’s seen the new BMO Field yet...

“No. Haven’t gone down there. It looks amazing. The growth of this league, both on and off the field, with the stadiums and the clubs and all the expansion, it’s amazing. It never stops. This is another feather in the cap of the league. I think it’s going to turn some heads. It’s going to look beautiful.”

Drew Moor
On the emotions of the game...

“It’s difficult. Obviously the result but I think this team comes in here with the strong belief that we should have gotten more out of that game. I think you learn a lot from games like these. We’ll forget about this one quickly because I think we were the better team for large amounts of the game, probably other than the first 15 minutes. We deserve all three points but when you don’t finish your chances in this league you’re going to be punished for it.”

On the game...

“We helped create a bunch of chances in the second half and really, other than the first 15 minutes, we kept the ball extremely well. They were giving us a lot of space. We weren’t able to break them down until the second half but again I think we walk away from here having the better game against the defending champs, just disappointed in the result.”

On Will Johnson scoring against his former team...

“Im sure he was elated. He should be. This is a special place for him. He and I both know what it’s like to go back and play against your old club that meant a lot to you. He deserved the goal for sure and I’m extremely happy for him. I thought he was going to get another one there at the end but it’s never easy. You have to control your emotions. He was able to do it. He seemed to take it all in stride. He’s a professional and that’s what he’s here for.”

On if he considers his chance near the net unlucky or a missed opportunity...

“I calculate it to not putting it away myself. I tried to guide it more than I actually put my head through it. Give Gleeson a ton of credit. I think he was able to get a toe on it to be honest. Again, a great ball and Jozy and I were able to make some good runs and free each other up for some set pieces but I think I need to put my head through it. If Gleeson saves it, great, but if not, it’s a goal. Disappointed not to score my first here.”

On returning home to BMO Field...

“This has been a tough road trip. We came out here extremely early to try and get acclimated. We spoke last week about not having a let down before we finish this road trip. I don’t think this is a let down. Yes, result wise it was a let down but again the way we played in the heat, on turf, in a tough environment, these players here need to realize that’s a good performance. Sometimes the results don’t go your way and we’ll get it next time.”

Toronto FC will host FC Dallas on May 7th in their long awaited home opener at the newly renovated BMO Field. Get there early on Saturday to take it all in.