Another acrobatic Yimmi Chara goal and a late equalizer from Mamadou Fall saw the teams share the points.
Yummy Chara scored another fine goal as the Portland Timbers drew their second match of the season 1–1 at LAFC. The Timbers played most of the second half under one player. Mamadou Fall and LAFC were able to make the most of their man with equalizers in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
After a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution in their home opener last weekend, the Portland Timbers traveled south to I-5 to take on LAFC, which they beat three out of three in 2021.
Tonight’s Starting XI against LAFC. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/FPmMl8r7Uj
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) March 7, 2022
With first-choice centers Larris Mbiala and Dario Zuparic still unavailable for selection via injury, the Timbers' biggest question in the match was how the Timbers' back line would handle an attack led by LAFC's Carlos Vela.
The opening moments of the competition were dominated possession-wise by LAFC, controlling 66 percent of the ball through 15 minutes. Despite a strong start from the home team, it would be the Timbers who made the first strike via a simple humiliating bicycle kick from Yummy Chara. The same Yummy Chara who won the MLS Goal of the Week with his bicycle kick against New England on the opening weekend.
YIMMI CHARA ARE YOU KIDDING ME. 🚲🚲🚲🚲 #RCTID pic.twitter.com/y5iikdZ702
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) March 7, 2022
Another truly sensational piece of improvisation from Portland's Little Chara, and for my money, this goal was even more impressive than the one against the Revolution, because of how little time he had to take the shot away after the parades were distracted. .
After goal, the game turned from a slow possession-based LAFC approach to a frantic, end-to-end affair, as both teams looked to capitalize on the others' desire to advance up the pitch. Carlos Vela really came to life in this time, making a massive save from Aljaz Ivacic in the 33rd minute, and a free-kick over the crossbar only four minutes later.
Huge save by @TimbersFC's Aljaz Ivacic 👏 pic.twitter.com/eOn0YT1uN0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 7, 2022
Despite the threat posed by Vela and other LAFC attackers, it was almost Claudio Bravo who scored the equalizer for the hosts in the 44th minute. Attempting to get the ball out for a corner, Portland's left back kicks the ball out from inside the post, before eventually booting the ball to safety.
All told, it was a case of "bend don't break" for the Timbers backline in the opening 45 minutes, as LAFC increased the pressure further as the first half progressed. At the break, LAFC was held to only one shot on target, due in large part to performances from Zac McGraw, Bill Tuiloma, and Aljaz Ivacic. Having said that, Portland will have to play yellow cards with both fullbacks in the second half.
First half expected goals & shooting stats according to MLS Soccer. Stats suggest it’s been an even game, which if it weren’t for Yimmi Chara, would probably be the case. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/KtZ4Af96fs
— Stumptown Footy (@StumptownFooty) March 7, 2022
The Timbers were given a big boost at the start of the second half when Carlos Vela was substituted for Kwadwo Opuku. Vela caused all kinds of problems in the first half and was, in my opinion, the most dangerous LAFC player on the pitch to be carried. Despite Vela's departure, LAFC picked up where they left off at the end of the start 45' and made two big saves from Ivacic within the first five minutes of the second half.
In the 60th minute, the Timbers took Jorge Fochiv and Sebastian Blanco off the bench in an attempt to bring some stability to the midfield after an uninterrupted period of LAFC dominance. But just two minutes later, Claudio Bravo was shown a second yellow card to pull Cristian Arango back to the finish line, meaning the Timbers would have to finish the final half hour of the match with 10 men.
From the 60th to the 75th minute, the game was one-way traffic in favor of LAFC. Christian Arango, Eli Sanchez, and Brian Rodriguez all came close to leveling the score, but McGraw, Tuiloma, and Ivacic stood their ground and thwarted everything LAFC threw at them.
So close for LAFC's Arango! 😅 pic.twitter.com/vZc3yKrTHB
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 7, 2022
A few times when the Timbers got the ball, they counter-attacked through Sebastian Blanco and Dioron Esprila, but Portland put so many people behind the ball, both often found themselves as the only Timbers attacker against two or three LAFCs. found as Protector.
Despite all of Portland's defensive effort, LAFC eventually equalized in the third minute of stoppage time when Christian Arango found Mamadou Fall for an easy tap inside the six-yard box.
It's an extremely disappointing result after the team has defended so well after going down 10 men, but the Timbers' second-choice centre-back partnership and their new starting goalkeeper have a lot to offer.
The Timbers are back in action against red-hot Austin FC on Saturday, March 12 at Providence Park, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.