CARSON, Calif. – The Portland Timbers concluded their 2017 preseason schedule with a 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center on Saturday night. Scoring a goal in each half, forward Fanendo Adi recorded a brace for the Timbers, extending his tally to six goals scored during the preseason, while midfielder Diego Valeri notched two assists in the match, creating both scoring opportunities for Portland.
The Timbers opened the scoring midway through the first half when Valeri slipped Adi in behind the Galaxy defense, with the striker powering his way into the box, before blasting a strong, left-footed effort in the far corner to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.
Portland doubled its lead early in the second half after pressing LA deep inside its half, winning the ball just outside the 18-yard box. After gaining possession, Valeri drove into the 18-yard box, playing the ball back to Adi, who carefully slotted it into the bottom corner for his second goal of the game in the 56th minute.
Outshooting the Galaxy 18-7, Portland created several scoring opportunities throughout the match, including midfielder Sebastián Blanco’s effort on defender Liam Ridgewell’s pass in the 17th minute, forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Six minutes later, Adi created space for himself on the far right side of the box, before hitting a powerful strike that was deflected just wide of the near post in the 23rd minute. Shortly afterward, Valeri came close to producing Portland’s first goal of the game, chipping the ball just wide of the target in a one-on-one scenario.
On the defensive end, Portland kept the Galaxy scoreless for 80 minutes, limiting the home side to just four shots on target. The Galaxy’s lone goal of the match occurred with nine minutes remaining in regulation when defender Daniel Steres scored a close-range header from a set piece.
With preseason coming to a close, Portland will open the 2017 MLS regular season at Providence Park on Friday, March 3, against Minnesota United FC, at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match against Minnesota will be broadcast live on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy (MLS Preseason)
Feb. 25, 2017 – StubHub Center (Carson, Calif.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 1 1 2
LA Galaxy 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
POR: Adi (Valeri, Guzmán), 29
POR: Adi (Valeri), 56
LA: Steres (Romney, Alessandrini), 81
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 38
LA: Pedro (Caution), 46
POR: Blanco (Caution), 61
POR: Olum (Caution), 76
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D Olum, D Ridgewell, D Farfan, M Guzmán, M Chara, M Blanco (Mattocks, 63), M Valeri (Barmby, 75), M Nagbe (Arboleda, 80), F Adi (Asprilla, 75)
TOTAL SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3
LA: GK Rowe, D Garcia, D Steres, D Van Damme (Smith, 45), D Romney, M Lletget, M Jones, M Pedro, M Boateng (Alessandrini, 45), F Lassiter, F dos Santos
TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 18; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3
Attendance: 10,364
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 54 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
