Timbers Earn Hard-Fought Road Point in 2-2 Draw at La Galaxy
Published on July 5, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release
CARSON, Calif. - The Portland Timbers earned a hard-fought road point as midfielder Diego Valeri and defender Jorge Villafaña each registered second-half goals in a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy in front of 27,000 fans at the StubHub Center on Friday night.
With the draw, Portland (4-5-9, 21pts) extended its road unbeaten streak to five consecutive regular-season matches. The Timbers, who have earned at least one point in nine of their last 11 regular-season matches, are unbeaten in six consecutive road games in all competitions, including Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. Against the Galaxy, Portland has registered a positive result in five straight games (2-0-3) since 2013.
Valeri and Villafaña each tallied goals during a three-minute span in the second half to help the Timbers overcome a 1-0 deficit. Valeri registered his third goal of the season, and second against the Galaxy in 2014, when he volleyed a loose ball into the back of the net from just inside the top of the penalty box in the 67th minute. A header from forward Fanendo Adi was blocked into Valeri's stride and the midfielder converted with a low drive inside the left post.
Just three minutes later, Villafaña recorded his first goal for the Timbers, collecting a deflected shot from Valeri and firing through a crowd of players just inside the near left post to give Portland a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute.
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made four saves in the match, including a leaping save on a Galaxy free kick from the edge of the penalty box in the 77th minute. Galaxy midfielder Juninho fired a free kick from 18 yards out over the defensive wall, but Ricketts was in position to make the quick save.
Holding the lead late into the match, Galaxy substitute midfielder Baggio Husidic found space deep inside the penalty box to deliver a short cross in front of goal which was redirected into the back of the net off a Timbers defender for a game-tying, own goal in the 86th minute.
After a scoreless first half, the Galaxy (5-3-6, 21pts) got on the board first in the 65th minute as midfielder Marcelo Sarvas delivered a shot from the top of the box off an assist from midfielder Landon Donovan.
Major League Soccer Stories from July 5, 2014
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- Timbers Earn Hard-Fought Road Point in 2-2 Draw at La Galaxy - Portland Timbers
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- LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers Trade Second Half Goals to Draw 2-2 - LA Galaxy
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