PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers surrendered a pair of goals in the first half and were unable to overcome the deficit, falling 2-1 to the LA Galaxy before 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon.
- VOTE: Man of the Match
- MATCHCENTER: Stats
- MATCHCENTER: Boxscore and Chalkboard
The result marked the Timbers (7-7-8, 29pts) first loss in league play since May 15 as it snapped a nine-game unbeaten run, which is the second-longest unbeaten streak in a single season during the club’s MLS era. Additionally, Saturday’s game marked only the second time the Timbers lost to the Galaxy at home in eight games played since 2011, with Portland producing a 2-1-2 record dating back to the 2013 campaign.
Trailing after a pair of goals during a four-minute span early in the first half from LA Galaxy (9-3-8, 35pts) forwards Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, the Timbers responded strongly, recording 59 percent possession and an 18-9 advantage in shots throughout the match, including defender Zarek Valentin’s finish in the 41st minute of play. Valentin found space for the finish, his first since joining the Timbers, after midfielder Darlington Nagbe weaved his way past two defenders inside the box before playing the ball into space for Valentin, who blasted a low, driven effort from just inside the 18-yard box into the back of the net.
Producing 10 shots in the second half, the Timbers remained on the strong foot by continuing to create several goal-scoring opportunities, including midfielder Ben Zemanski’s effort that skipped just wide of the far post in the 59th minute, while forward Fanendo Adi’s chance from deep inside the box two minutes later forced the Galaxy defense to deflect it wide.
In the 73rd minute, Diego Valeri broke free on the right wing after being released by forward Jack McInerney, leading the counter attack for the Timbers. With his final delivery, Valeri found Adi in space in behind the Galaxy defense, but Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe came charging off his line to break up the play with a sliding save. Continuing to press forward, the Timbers produced another threatening chance in the 85th minute when defender Alvas Powell’s cross into the box landed to Nagbe at the penalty spot. Pouncing onto Powell’s cross, Nagbe struck a first-time effort that sailed just high of the crossbar.
In the final moments of the game, the Timbers earned a dangerous free kick on the edge of the right side of the box deep into stoppage time, with Valeri whipping in a dangerous cross that found Adi on the edge of the six-yard box. Connecting with Valeri’s cross, Adi produced a strong header that narrowly missed the near post.
Next up, the Timbers will travel to face Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, July 31; kickoff is set for 11 a.m. (Pacific). The match will feature a national broadcast on FOX with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (7-7-8, 29pts) vs. LA Galaxy (9-3-8, 35pts)
July 23, 2016 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 1 0 1
LA Galaxy 2 0 2
Scoring Summary:
LA: Keane (Dos Santos, Larentowicz), 7
LA: Zardes (Boateng, Van Damme), 11
POR: Valentin (Nagbe), 41
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D Borchers (Okugo, 45), D Taylor, D Valentin (Grabavoy, 85), M Zemanski (McInerney, 71), M Chara, M Nagbe, M Valeri ©, M Melano, F Adi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Hamilton, D Peay, D Vytas, M Barmby
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Valeri, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Two players tied, 2); FOULS: 7 (Adi, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
LA: GK Rowe, D DeLaGarza, D Steres, D Van Damme, D Romney, M Dos Santos (Magee, 88), M De Jong (Husidic, 70), M Larentowicz, M Boateng (Lletget, 63), F Keane ©, F Zardes
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kennedy, D Leonardo, M Garcia, F Gordon
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Keane, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Keane, 2); FOULS: 7 (Two players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Kyle Atkins
4th Official: Tyler Ploeger
Attendance: 21,144
Weather: Cloudy, 72 degrees
