By Josue Lopez
Los Angeles Football Club and the Portland Timbers faced each other at Exposition Park for the second time in this season. In their last encounter, the Timbers won 2-1 with a last-minute goal by Felipe Mora. In their 11 games in three years, there seems to be an existing rivalry. Bob Bradley has been very vocal about his feelings about the artificial tuff; once again, his team will have to face that adversity.
LAFC’s starting XI HAD Tomas Romero in goal, Mamadou Fall, Sebastian Ibeagha, and Jesus Murillo as a central defender; Kim Moon-Hwan and Raheem Edwards in the wings, Francisco Ginella and Daniel Crisostomo as midfielders, Jose Cifuentes as a game creator, and Brian Rodriguez and Cristian Arango in front.
An intense first half ended with two goals. At the 21st minute, a set-piece play in a corner kick was capitalized by Dairon Asprilla. The Colombian player follow the ball after hitting the crossbar heading it to the net. Six minutes later, Cristian Arango scored his sixth goal from the penalty spot. Brian Rodriguez from LAFC and Rodrigo Mora from the Timbers missed a chance for their respective teams.
In the second half, Jose Cifuentes had a clear chance to pt LAFC with the advantage, but the ball went out wide. Portland Timbers, on the other hand, At the 68th minute, Sebastian Blanco took the ball in the left side, but the ball in the area, a couple of deflections from LAFC players, George Fechive right footed the ball which gave the home team the 2-1 advantage. Despite having more than five corner kicks and a majority of the ball possession, the Black and Gold could not steal a point from Providence Park.
With this result, the Timbers stay in fifth place. LAFC remains in the eighth position, out of the playoffs and one point behind 7th place Minnesota.
LAFC will travel to North California to play against San Jose Earthquakes. The Timbers face Real Salt Lake at Providence Park. Both games are taking place next Saturday, September 25.