After a few humiliating defeats a few weeks ago, the Timbers have suddenly found their form, and now have four wins and one draw in their last five matches, the latest being a 2-1 win over Los Angeles FC on Sunday at Providence Park. Dairon Asprilla and George Fochive scored for the Timbers, while Cristian Arango had the lone goal for the visitors.
Neither team threatened seriously until the 21st minute, when off a Timbers corner kick, Sebastián Blanco headed a shot near the far post that rattled off the crossbar, but Dairon Asprilla was there to head the rebound into an open net, and the Timbers had a 1-0 lead.
Just a few minutes later, LAFC had a free kick from just outside the Timbers box, which was blocked by the Timbers wall, but Blanco was called for handball on this block attempt, and as it was inside the Timbers box, a penalty was awarded. Cristian Arango converted the penalty just inside the left post past Steve Clark, and the score was level at 1-1.
The Timbers would have a good chance in the 29th minute when Blanco jumped on a loose ball just outside the LAFC box, but Tomás Romero would make a nice diving save. The score would be level at 1-1 at the half.
Just a minute into the second half, the visitors nearly grabbed the lead when José Cifuentes controlled the ball near midfield, and caught Clark off his line and attempted a shot from 40 yards out that rattled off the left post before going wide. In the 59th minute, the Timbers would have a good chance to grab the lead when an Asprilla cross was met with a nice bicycle kick attempt by Felipe Mora, but it was saved nicely by Romero.
In the 63rd minute, LAFC blew a great chance to take the lead when Cifuentes had a look at an open net after receiving a nice pass on a breakaway, but amazingly he slipped the shot wide left.
But in the 68th minute, the Timbers would grab the lead again when Blanco made a deep run into the box and his shot was knocked down, but George Fochive headed in the rebound at the far post and into the net, and the Timbers had a 2-1 lead.
The Timbers had a later goal ruled offside, but they wouldn’t need it as they held on for the 2-1 win.
Steve Clark recorded one save for the Timbers, while Tomás Romero recorded three for LAFC.
MATCH RECAP | Portland Timbers extend unbeaten streak, defeat Los Angeles FC 2-1 | Timbers website
HIGHLIGHTS | Asprilla, Fochive with goals as Portland Timbers beat LAFC 2-1 | Sept. 19, 2021 | Timbers website
