MLS Portland Timbers

Dunivant Goal Lifts Galaxy Past Timbers

Published on June 17, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


CARSON, Calif. - A corner kick by midfielder David Beckham set up defender Todd Dunivant for the decisive goal in the second half, as the LA Galaxy claimed a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Sunday at The Home Depot Center.

The Timbers, returning to MLS play for the first time since May 26, and Galaxy played scoreless through the first 60 minutes, with Portland holding an advantage in shots in the first half. But shortly after the hour mark, Dunivant headed home the game's lone goal in the 61st minute as the Galaxy ended the Timbers' four-game unbeaten streak in league play.

Dunivant scored his first goal since the 2010 campaign and Beckham logged his team-best fifth assist to help the Galaxy (4-8-2, 14pts) snap a seven-game winless stretch. Goalkeeper Josh Saunders made four saves to help LA record its first shutout of the season.

Forward Kris Boyd put two of his three shots on frame, goalkeeper Troy Perkins made two saves and forward Danny Mwanga made his team debut for the Timbers (3-6-4, 13pts) in the loss - the team's first league defeat since April 28.

A corner kick by Beckham from the left side led to the winning goal. Beckham's service curled in at the back post, where after some battling for positioning in front of goal, Dunivant was able to head the ball inside the right post from the top of the six yard box.

Portland forced Saunders to make three of his saves in the first half, including one on a strike by Boyd in the 26th minute. Boyd fired a shot from 25 yards out aimed at the bottom left corner, but Saunders was able to push the ball wide with a diving save.

The Galaxy had two chances early in the first half to grab a lead. In the opening minutes of the match, midfielder Marcelo Sarvas headed a Sean Franklin cross on frame, but Perkins was in position to knock the ball up over the crossbar. In the 15th minute, forward Landon Donovan crushed a shot from the top of the box off the right post.

Mwanga set up midfielder Kalif Alhassan for one of the Timbers' better chances of the second half in the 54th minute. Alhassan's left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Saunders.

The Timbers return home to play host to Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, June 24, at JELD-WEN Field at 2 p.m. (Pacific). The Portland-Seattle clash will be broadcast nationally live on ESPN, with local radio broadcasts available on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

Notes:

* Sunday's match was the Timbers' first league match since May 26 - a span of 22 days. * In games following a break in league play of 10 or more days, the Timbers are 1-2-2 as an MLS club. The Timbers have two more extended breaks of 10 or more days between league games remaining in 2012. * Portland had a four-game unbeaten streak in league play come to an end Sunday. It was the club's first loss since a 2-0 road loss to the Montreal Impact on April 28. * With the loss Sunday, the Timbers are 1-3-0 against the LA Galaxy as an MLS club. The Galaxy have won all three of their home matches in the series between the two sides. * Prior to Sunday's contest, the winning side in the Portland-LA series had scored exactly three goals in each victory. * The goal scored by LA's Todd Dunivant was the first conceded by the Timbers off a corner kick in 2012. Likewise, it was the Galaxy's first goal scored from a corner kick play this season. * Dunivant's goal was just the fifth league goal allowed by the Timbers since their last meeting with the Galaxy on April 14 - a span of seven matches. * Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has recorded a goal and an assist in two games this season against the Timbers. * The Galaxy become the first team this season that the Timbers have faced a multiple time. Portland plays each Western Conference club three times in 2012. * The game against LA was the Timbers' second Sunday match of the 2012 campaign. Overall, Portland is 3-4-1 in Sunday games since joining MLS. * Sunday's contest opened a stretch of 10 straight matches against Western Conference opponents for the Timbers. * Acquired via trade June 6, Timbers forward Danny Mwanga made his first start for the club on Sunday. He played a full 90 minutes and attempted a shot, which was saved. * Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins made his 42nd consecutive start for the Timbers. * Portland defender David Horst made his first MLS start of the 2012 campaign, while captain Jack Jewsbury made his 185th career MLS start on Sunday against LA. * In a match on Father's Day, the Timbers' lineup featured four fathers - Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Hanyer Mosquera and Troy Perkins. * Timbers defender Futty Danso and midfielder Lovel Palmer returned from international duty with The Gambia and Jamaica, respectively. Both players joined the team in Los Angeles and were available subs against the Galaxy. * The Galaxy had three players - midfielders Mike Magee, Michael Stephens and Hector Jimenez - unavailable for Sunday's match due to MLS-imposed suspensions. Additionally, Galaxy forward Robbie Keane was away with the Irish national team for Euro 2012.

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