October 17, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release
CARSON, Calif. – The Portland Timbers dropped a 2-1 result to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. The Galaxy struck first in the second half and the Timbers quickly responded with a goal of their own from Sebastián Blanco. The deciding factor came in the final minutes of stoppage time, when the Galaxy were awarded a penalty kick and converted it for the win. Portland returns home for a midweek match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Portland’s Historic Run Comes to an End
Portland’s eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) and four-game road win streak dating back to Aug. 29 came to an end tonight against the Galaxy. The four consecutive road wins was the best in club history. In that unbeaten stretch, the Timbers recorded more wins (7) and goals (18) than any other MLS team, as well as the most clean sheets in the league (4). Portland still holds the longest active streak in the league for consecutive matches with a goal scored (19), dating back to June 26.
Goal-Scoring Plays
LAG – Chicharito (Víctor Vázquez), 62nd minute: From just outside the top of the box, Víctor Vázquez skipped in a ball to the far post, and Chicharito tapped it into the back of the net.
POR – Sebastián Blanco (Santiago Moreno), 72nd minute: From 40 yards deep on the right flank, Santiago Moreno sent a diagonal ball to the feet of Sebastián Blanco on the corner of the 18-yard box. Blanco took one touch and curled in a shot inside of the far post.
LAG – Sacha Kljestan (penalty kick), 90+2 minute: Portland conceded a foul in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Sacha Kljestan stepped up and converted the attempt.
Notes
Portland is 14-11-4 (46 pts) and in fourth place in the Western Conference.
The Timbers eight game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) came to an end, dropping their first result since Aug. 29.
Tonight’s loss concluded Portland’s four game road-win streak, the best in club history.
The Timbers have the longest active streak for consecutive games with a goal scored (19) in the league.
Sebastián Blanco tallied his fourth goal of the season.
In 10 career appearances against the Galaxy, Blanco has tallied three goals and four assists.
In his eighth appearance of the season, Santiago Moreno recorded his second assist.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda made his first start of the season.
Steve Clark recorded seven saves.
Blanco led the team in shots (5) and shots on goal (3).
The Timbers return to Providence Park on Oct. 20 tied for the most home wins (9) in the Western Conference.
Next Game
Portland will return home for a midweek clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) and will feature a local broadcast FOX 12 PLUS with radio broadcasts on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (14-11-4, 46pts) vs. LA Galaxy (12-11-6, 42pts)
Oct. 16, 2021 – Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, Ca.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
LA Galaxy 0 2 2
Scoring Summary:
LAG: Chicharito (Vázquez), 62
POR: Blanco (Moreno), 72
LAG: Kljestan (penalty kick), 90+2
Misconduct Summary:
LAG: Chicharito (caution), 38
POR: Bonilla (caution), 44
POR: D. Chara (caution), 65
LAG: Kljestan (caution), 87
LAG: Joveljic (caution), 90+5
Lineups:
POR: GK Clark, D Van Rankin, D Mabiala, D Zuparic, D Bonilla (McGraw, 89), M D. Chara ©, M Paredes (Fochive, 83), M Y. Chara, M Blanco (Valeri, 89), M Asprilla (Moreno, 65), F Niezgoda (Mora, 65)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Ivacic, M Zambrano, M Loría
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Blanco, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Blanco, 3); FOULS: 10 (D. Chara, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 7
LAG: GK Bond, D Araujo, D Williams, D Depuy, D Hämäläinen, M Raveloson, M dos Santos (Kljestan, 63), M Cabral (Álvarez, 63), M Vázquez (Lletget, 71), M Grandsir (Joveljic, 83), F Chicharito
Substitutes Not Used: GK Klinsmann, D Coulibaly, D Steres, M Saldana, F Zubak
TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Chicharito, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Chicharito, 3); FOULS: 15 (Chicharito, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 5
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Michael Barwegen, Eduardo Mariscal
Fourth official: Chris Ruska
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
Attendance: 15,322
Weather: Sunny, 68 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
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