Kwarasey revels in penalty shoot-out heroics

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey has described his club’s dramatic marathon penalty shoot-out victory over Kansas City on Friday as “a movie”.

The Ghana international was the hero of the day, scoring his kick and saving another as Timbers ran out 7-6 winners following a 2-2 stalemate after extra time in Major League Soccer Cup Playoff at Providence Park.

Kevin Ellis sent the game into extra time with an 87th minute equaliser after Rodney Wallace had given Timbers the lead on 57 minutes. Krisztian Nemeth then scored for visitors Kansas six minutes into extra time before Maximiliano Urruti restored parity on 118 minutes.

“It was like a movie, I hear everybody saying that and I agree,” Kwarasey told the club’s official website after the game.

“I didn’t expect it to go to 11 penalties. I didn’t expect to take a penalty and I didn’t expect to save one after I’ve taken one. I’m still a little bit exhausted. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

With the shoot-out score at 6-6 after eight different players from both sides had failed to convert, Kwarasey stepped up and neatly slotted home his sides 11th kick and the 21st kick on the night, before denying Kansas goalkeeper Jon Kempin from scoring his side’s 11th attempt.

“I didn’t think too much about that. I’m Adam as usual. Calm. I won’t say I knew I was going to score, but I felt I could have taken an earlier penalty as well,” Kwarasey added.

“I just said to myself hit it as hard as possible and a little to the side and see what happens.

“The last time I scored a goal was in the Norwegian Cup in 2010 I think. Penalty as well.”

Timbers would face Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference semi-finals on Sunday.