“David Da Costa struck inside four minutes to give Portland a shock lead, silencing the home crowd almost before the match had begun and setting the tone for a disciplined Timbers defensive performance.”
Pivotal“Mathieu Choinière was booked for a foul, and just four minutes later was substituted off — suggesting the early yellow card forced Portland's hand and disrupted their tactical shape.”
“Denis Bouanga equalised in the 79th minute to rescue a point for LAFC, converting after Jose Luis Caicedo Barrera had threatened moments earlier, ending Portland's heroic rearguard and denying them a famous away victory.”
Pivotal“Vincent Janssen was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time, leaving LAFC down to ten men at the death and capping a chaotic final phase of the match.”
Los Angeles FC
Portland Timbers
Outstanding performance
Portland Timbers•GoalkeeperPortland arrived at Banc of California Stadium as heavy underdogs and nearly pulled off a stunning upset, going ahead through David Da Costa inside four minutes and then defending with extraordinary discipline for the remainder of the match. LAFC utterly dominated the statistical picture — 61 percent possession, 34 shots, 12 corners, and 100 dangerous attacks — yet were repeatedly repelled by a Portland goalkeeper who finished with 10 saves, a figure that tells the story of the evening more than anything else. It took a Denis Bouanga strike in the 79th minute to spare LAFC's blushes, though the Congolese forward then earned a yellow card for simulation moments later, a moment that summed up the frustration rippling through the home side. For the title race, a point at home against a side that created virtually nothing — just two shots on target and zero corners — will feel deeply unsatisfying for LAFC, while Portland will board the plane north knowing they were minutes from three remarkable points.
How entertaining was this match?
Vincent JanssenYellow CardVincent Janssen receives a yellow card.
Yellow card issued.
Corner awarded.
Denis Bouanga's header is saved.
Ryan Hollingshead attempts a header but misses the shot.
Offside.
Denis BouangaDenis Bouanga takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Jude Terry
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
Jude Terry comes on for Mathieu Choiniere.
Ryan Raposo is substituted off for Yevgen Cheberko.
Jose Luis Caicedo Barrera takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jacob Shaffelburg takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Offside.
Omir Fernandez comes on for Kristoffer Velde.
Vincent Janssen replaces Kevin Kelsy.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ryan Hollingshead takes a shot with another body part, but it misses the target.
Kevin Kelsy takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Marco Delgado takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Marco Delgado takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Substitution: Ian Smith is replaced by Jimer Fory.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Julio Ortiz replaces Cole Bassett.
Antony Alves Santos is on, and Ariel Lassiter is off.
Son Heung-Min takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Jacob Shaffelburg takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Jose Luis Caicedo Barrera takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
First half ends with the score 0-1.
Mathieu Choiniere attempts a header but misses the shot.
Mathieu Choiniere takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Cole Bassett takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jacob Shaffelburg attempts a header but misses the shot.
Cole Bassett takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Mathieu Choiniere takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shot - Ryan Hollingshead Head Shot Missed
Yellow card issued.
Kristoffer Velde takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kristoffer Velde takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Son Heung-Min takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Denis Bouanga takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Denis Bouanga takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Denis Bouanga takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Denis Bouanga takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jacob Shaffelburg is on, and Timothy Tillman is off.
Yellow card issued.
Yevgen Cheberko takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Ryan Hollingshead takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Mathieu Choiniere takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
David Da CostaDavid Pereira Da Costa takes a left-footed shot and scores.
assist: Kristoffer Velde
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
Kick-off! The referee is Jon Freemon.
