Forward Sanna Nyassi put a shot off the bar in the fourth minute before setting up Eduardo Sebrango for a chance that went wide of the goal in the 10th.

The expansion Impact were coming off a 2-0 loss Wednesday to the Houston Dynamo in its first exhibition game against an MLS opponent.

''We set the tone to the game,'' coach Jesse Marsch said.

Defender Josh Gardner and midfielder Patrice Bernier were each shown the yellow card in the first half of what became a physical contest. Portland's Eric Brunner was also cautioned.

The Timbers had a good chance in the second half but hit a post.

At halftime, Marsch took out Sebrango, Bernier, Gardner and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and sent in midfielders Jeb Brovsky and Bryan Arguez, forward Evan James and 'keeper Greg Sutton. He made more substitutions later on.

After the game, the Impact played a 45-minute exhibition against the third division L.A. Blues to give some players more playing time.

Montreal, which arrived in California on Monday to continue training camp, plays another pre-season game Tuesday against the L.A. Galaxy.

The Impact became the 19th team in MLS this season. The team will play its first regular-season match Mar. 10 against the Whitecaps in Vancouver.