It’s back on the road for LAFC as they look to finally kickstart the campaign after the huge win at home over their rivals last time out. Now, the team look to get their first win on the road of the new season, as they take on Portland Timbers. Looking to put their past road woes in the rearview, the team are ready for the always physical matchup that comes when they go up against the Timbers.
🇺🇸🇫🇷🇨🇴🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
🇪🇸🇺🇾🇵🇱🇬🇦🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/KWPyteMmgm— LAFC (@LAFC) April 13, 2024
The home side wasted little time in welcoming LAFC, as the opening goal of the match came in the first ten minutes. Despite LAFC coming out the energy and looking good, Evander put on a pass that was almost impossible to stop as it was right on the money. It was tapped along by Felipe Mora who needed just a gust of wind to help get it past the line.
Evander ➡️ Felipe Mora
Mora scores for third-straight game to open the scoring for @TimbersFC. pic.twitter.com/UVpvSD8Kg6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2024
One thing we have talked about this season is LAFC reverting back to days of old where moments like this would cause them to fold like a lawn chair. Which is why it was pleasantly surprising to see the team have an answer for Portland. Just ten minutes after conceding, the black & gold, in their army green kits, took it to the Timber midfield, with Tillman putting on a great pass that set free a streaking Mateusz Bogusz. Settling into his role as a striker, Bogusz needed just one chance to slam it past the keeper to equalize for LAFC.
Polish Power 💪
Mateusz Bogusz levels it.#PORvLAFC 1-1 pic.twitter.com/nqiWSO8njR
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 13, 2024
In the 34th minute the home side was able to separate themselves once again with an amazing shot in front of goal. After supply the incredible assist on the first goal, Evander got on the end of a good pass, settled it with his chest and unleashed an incredible attempt that got past Lloris for the second goal of the match for the Timbers.
OMG EVANDER 😱🇧🇷
The Brazilian with a sick goal to put @TimbersFC back on top of LAFC. pic.twitter.com/HetwqMfdjh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2024
Portland took the goal lead into the halftime break, looking the better team by slim margins. In a rare turn of events, LAFC kept most of the possession in the first half, but were unable to make much with it, taking just four shots with two finding their target. If the first half was any indication, we were in for a wild finish in the final 45 as LAFC look for their first three points on the road.
Chaos began to take hold of this match early in the second half, as Maxime Crepeau, the former LAFC keeper now with Portland, was hit with a DOGSO in the 46th minute. While not a penalty, the action resulted in a red card for Crepeau that saw the TImbers go down a player, and LAFC have a free kick opportunity in dangerous area with a chance to equalize early. Bogusz took full advantage of the chance, as the dust settled and the whistle blew, Bogusz slammed a shot top shelf that left the new goalkeeper for Portland stunned and stuck in place, only able to watch as Los Angeles leveled. It was game on for the three points.
⬆️⬇️ Up and Down
Mateusz Bogusz with a stunning free kick goal 🎯 pic.twitter.com/p2LHnoM3Af
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 13, 2024
Just as quick as the chaos came, it seemed to have gone away as the match went on. To the surprsie of nobody, Portland went more defensive and began to clog up the middle of the park making it difficult for the boys to find any room or momentum. Despite the advantage, the team seemed content on taking the point home with them as it wasn’t until the last minutes of the match that we saw them play with any added aggression. Obviously, you never want to put yourselves at risk, but a lot of the second half for LAFC was spent lamenting missed opportunities to really put this one away and complete the comeback.
The chaos returned in added time briefly, as the two sides really went for the win late. Portland came really close to getting a smash and grab win in the final stages of the match, while LAFC had several chances from close range to get the winner, but were unable to get it across the line. The final whistle blew on proceedings and it was a point shared between the two as Portland walked away feeling great about keeping LAFC from pulling away in the second half despite being down a player. For LAFC, its never a bad feeling to get a point on the road, but the search for a win away from LA continues, but more concerningly, the team will need to figure out how to sharpen their teeth to find a lot more bite in attack.
Thoughts on the draw? Leave a comment below!