MLS Portland Timbers

Donovan Brace Leads Galaxy Past Timbers 3-0

Published on April 24, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Midfielder Landon Donovan scored two goals and logged an assist and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts recorded six saves to help the LA Galaxy defeat the Portland Timbers 3-0 on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.

Making his return from injury, Donovan factored into all three goals for the Galaxy (4-1-3, 15pts). He helped the home side jump out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening eight minutes of the match, assisting forward Chad Barrett and then converting a penalty kick. He then capped his brace in the second half with a header from six yards out.

Ricketts' season-high six saves, including two clutch stops in the second half have to deny Portland's Kenny Cooper, led to his third shutout of the season. Barrett scored in his second straight game and forward Juan Pablo Angel was credited with his second assist of the season as the Galaxy extended its unbeaten streak to five games.

The Timbers (2-3-1, 7pts) had a three-game unbeaten streak in league play come to an end in the loss. Cooper attempted a team-high three shots, while defender Futty Danso and striker Jorge Perlaza each took two shots of their own as Portland out-shot the Galaxy 13-11 in the contest. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins recorded four saves in his season debut.

Against the Galaxy, the Timbers' newly-signed designated player Diego Chará also made his debut. Signed last week, the Colombian midfielder met up with the team Friday in Los Angeles and entered the match as a sub in the second half.

The Galaxy struck early and took a 2-0 lead into the break. In the fourth minute, Donovan found Barrett on a diagonal run at the top of the box. Barrett chested the ball down to his feet and crushed a low, driven ball off the fingertips of Perkins and inside the right post.

Four minutes later, Donovan was held by Portland's Rodney Wallace just a step inside the box and was awarded a penalty kick on the foul. Donovan slotted his attempt from the spot into an open left side of the goal as Perkins dove to the right, giving LA a 2-0 lead.

A hard-working play by Angel in the 67th minute led to the Galaxy's third goal of the night. Working his way to the end line, Angel chipped a pass back across the goal mouth to the left side as Donovan rushed in. From the top of the six yard box, an unmarked Donovan headed in his second goal of the night and sealed LA's third win in five games.

Perkins made two key saves in the first half to keep the Galaxy from extending its lead. In the 14th minute, he made a sliding save on a one-on-one with Barrett. Perkins then spoiled a 4v1 counter attack following a Timbers free kick late in the period; he stopped Mike Magee's attempt and then pounced on the rebound. Early in the second half, Perkins plucked a header by Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez on frame out of the air.

Danso had an opportunity to help the Timbers pull one back in the 30th minute. A free kick by midfielder Jack Jewsbury sailed into the box and found Danso near the right post. The defender out-jumped his marker and headed a shot down at the post. Ricketts got to the ground quickly and pushed Danso's shot just wide.

Ricketts turned away two second-half shots by Cooper that seemed destined for the back of the net; the first came in the 72nd minute. Cooper unloaded a shot from just beyond the top left corner of the box that was slightly deflected by a Galaxy player on its way through. Ricketts made a diving stop with an out-stretched hand to knock the ball wide.

Perlaza set up Cooper for a shot in the 80th minute, crossing the ball into the box after a run down the right side. Ricketts made a kick save on Cooper's volley from close range on the back stick as he slid across his line, preserving his clean sheet.

The Timbers return home to play host to 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League finalist Real Salt Lake at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday, April 30; kickoff at 7:30 p.m. live on ROOT SPORTS. A live radio broadcast will be available on Sportsradio 95.5 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

Notes:

- After missing the first five regular-season matches due to a right knee injury, Perkins made his Timbers debut against the LA Galaxy, appearing in his 100th career MLS regular-season match. His first 99 MLS appearances came with his previous club D.C. United (2004-07; 2010).

- Chará was signed as Portland's first designated player last week on April 13. He joins the club from Colombian side Deportes Tolima and is reunited with former teammate and childhood friend Jorge Perlaza.

- Donovan's penalty-kick goal in the eighth minute snapped a scoreless run of 731 minutes in MLS play for the Galaxy playmaker. His second goal in the 67th minute was his 105th MLS career goal.

- For a third time this season, the Timbers wore their all-green primary kits - green jersey, green shorts and green socks. The two previous times were also on the road against the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC.

- The Timbers still seek their first away win and are now 0-3-1 on the road. The club has conceded two or more goals in five of their first six games of the season.

- Portland was shut out for just the second time this season. The previous time was also on the road in a 2-0 loss to Toronto FC.

- Involved in the play on the Galaxy's first goal of the night, midfielder David Beckham was awarded his fourth assist of the season, which ranks among the league's leaders in that category.

- The Timbers Reserves open play in the MLS Reserve League Sunday as they face the Galaxy Reserves on one of the Galaxy's training fields at The Home Depot Center; kickoff is set for 12 noon. It's first match in a 10-game season for the Timbers Reserves.

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