The Portland Timbers played a very challenging match against Los Angeles FC on a sunny Sunday at Providence Park, and appeared ready to leave with a satisfying draw until a late stoppage time goal by LAFC spoiled the party and a 2-1 loss for the Timbers. Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga would score for the visitors while Dairon Asprilla would score for the Timbers.
The first half was largely even, with the visitors having somewhat between scoring chances, but Timbers goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič would make a few nice saves to keep the match level at the break.
But five minutes into the second half, Los Angeles FC would take the lead when Carlos Vela was left open at the top of the Timbers box, and finished nicely into the upper left corner of the net to give LAFC a 1-0 lead.
The Timbers started to seriously push forward looking for the equalizer at this point, and nearly found that goal in the 71st minute when a Claudio Bravo header was off the crossbar.
Both teams had a few good chances in the next 10 minutes or so, but neither goalkeeper was seriously challenged. But in the 81st minute, the Timbers would finally tie it up when a Bravo cross found Dairon Asprilla able to split two defenders at the six-yard box, and he would head the ball home past Maxime Crépeau to level the match at 1-1.
But shockingly, four minutes into seven minutes of announced stoppage time, the Timbers defense had a serious breakdown that would cost them dearly, as Denis Bouanga would somehow elude four Timbers defenders, and slid home a deflected shot to give LAFC a 2-1 lead, which would be the final score on the day.
Aljaž Ivačič had five saves on the day, while Maxime Crépeau had six for LAFC.
