Max Eisenberg kept running. The Portland U15 forward made a beeline for Valencia goalie Pedro Garcia, who’d just received the ball inside his six-yard box. And as the keeper looked up for a pass, Eisenberg saw his moment, and with a sprint and slide, deflected the ball into the back of the net.

It was the first of two Timbers goals in the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup final, as the American side beat Valencia, 2-0, to win their first ever Generation Adidas trophy.

Portland set up defensively in the first half, before attacking relentlessly in the second. The introduction of Eisenberg in the 45th minute proved decisive, as the forward scored one and set up a second, playing hero for a well-drilled MLS Academy team.

Still, it was far from easy for the Timbers. They were often pinned back in the first half and saw little of the ball. Portland was outshot, 8-1, and relied on the strong play of Keenan VanPelt to keep them in the game.

Indeed, their first and only look of the opening period came within two minutes when Noah Santos hunted down a long ball, but Valencia keeper Pedro Garcia took the sting of his shot from close range. Valencia responded swiftly with a well-worked counter of its own, with Rafael Gil curling his shot just wide of the post.

The Spanish side enjoyed more of the ball, utilizing strong wing play to put pressure on the Timbers' defense. And it led to some good looks. Romeo Moya had two shots blocked, while Eli White cleared another off the line.

In the 29th minute, Valencia had the first major chance of the game. Gil cooly controlled a pass with his back to goal, with White approaching. The Valencia academy product sensed the pressure, though, flicking the ball over the center back’s head and bursting through on goal. However, he put his shot wide.

Two minutes later, the Spanish team was in again, but VanPelt made a nifty stop from close range. The keeper was called into action once more shortly after, this time reacting to a driven shot from eight yards out to keep the score level.

And Portland held on for the rest of the half, leaning on their box defending to go into the break tied, 0-0.

The second half started as the first ended: with bountiful Valencia pressure and stout Portland resistance. But the Timbers kept Valencia away from their goal in the opening exchanges of the period, and enjoyed more time on the ball.

In the 45th minute, Portland Coach Fernando Pessoa shuffled his squad. He made three changes, including the introduction of Eisenberg and August Hoelscher. The Timbers also switched to a more attacking formation, and pressed higher up the pitch.

That extra pressure yielded results. In the 50th minute, Eisenberg sprinted at Garcia, and with a sliding challenge deftly flicked the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 Portland lead.

It could have been 2-0 off the ensuing kick off as Einsenberg intercepted a Valencia pass, before starting a counter attack. He fed Santos, who cut inside his man before firing over from six yards out.

After scoring, the Timbers cut a more composed side. The attacking trio of Santos, Eisenberg and Hoelscher caused problems with their pace and movement — pushing Valencia deep into its own half.

What few attacks Valencia mustered for the rest of the match were fairly speculative. Portland equaled every forward surge, deflecting crosses and clearing long balls. VanPelt was called into action twice in stoppage time, but clambered into the Dallas night to snag both shots.

And the Timbers finished it off shortly after. Eisenberg once again pressed high, stealing the ball before flicking it deftly over a defender and into the path of Hoelscher, who couldn’t miss from 3 yards out. The duo sprinted to the sideline, mobbed by their teammates — a jubilant reaction to their certain winner.

ANOTHER ONE!! 2-0 Timbers 🥳🥳 #RCTID @MLSNEXT pic.twitter.com/apsJL8zaEI

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 17, 2022

So, all it took was a brief moment of awareness, a swift reaction from Eisenberg. His dart towards Garcia, slide, and moment of magic changed a game that appeared to be careening elsewhere. That quick read, that extra effort, was all Portland needed to seize a tense cup final.

And the final whistle blew, the Timbers stormed the field, with Eisenberg, fittingly, at the center of festivities. His introduction had proved vital, and his team knew it.