The Portland Timbers were defeated 3-1 by the LA Galaxy last Saturday morning. Robbie Keane led the way for the Galaxy with involvement on each goal, a brace and an assist in all.
Maestro Diego Valeri struck first with a deflected direct free kick in the 14th minute. Valeri stepped up following a foul on Gaston Fernandez, shot on goal, and had the ball deflected off the top of a Galaxy defender and right past Jaime Penedo and into the top right corner. 1-0 Timbers.
Los Angeles took over after the goal and didn’t relent for the rest of the half. Gaston Fernandez was forced to come off the field in the 25th and was replaced by longtime Timber Kalif Alhassan. Not what you want when facing a full-strength Galaxy attack.
After multiple shots on goal from the Galaxy, Gyasi Zardes finally leveled things in first half stoppage time. Robbie Rogers put in a perfect cross and a completely unmarked Zardes just needed to direct it on frame to beat Donovan Ricketts. LA went into the half with all the momentum and a game tied at one apiece.
Caleb Porter fired his group up during the half and they came out looking to retake the lead. Despite the renewed energy, LA scored off another perfect cross in the 73’. This time Landon Donovan beat Jack Jewsbury and found Robbie Keane at the far post. Keane lunged past Will Johnson and directed the ball into the back of the net. 2-1 Galaxy.
At this point, one might be thinking it’s time for the Diego Valeri Late Game Show like the past few weeks. Sadly, this wasn’t the case. Diego Chara brought down Juninho at the top of the box and referee Kevin Stott signaled for a PK. Correctly, I might add, as the replay showed Juninho’s foot on the line when Chara fouled him. Robbie Keane froze Ricketts in the center of goal and calmly put the ball into the corner. Portland couldn’t muster a comeback and the affair ended 3-1.
This loss keeps the Timbers at seventh in the Western Conference. Lucky for them though was Colorado’s loss which keeps the fifth place spot wide open for contention. Portland hosts Chivas USA this weekend and will be looking to jump the Vancouver Whitecaps, who sit just two points above in the standings.
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