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On a Saturday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Portland Timbers brought their Pacific Northwest weather to Los Angeles. The Timbers, fresh off a victory against the Colorado Rapids, entered the match with confidence and a strong desire for another win.
Just five minutes into the game, midfielder Santiago Moreno received a pass from Asprilla and swiftly put the Timbers in the lead. However, their advantage lasted only about five minutes, as the Galaxy quickly equalized when defender Eriq Zavaleta headed the ball into the net, leveling the score just 10 minutes into the first half.
The excitement from both Galaxy fans and players was intense, showing that the team was determined not to give up and wanted to score more goals.
However, in the 37th minute, Timbers' Captain Mara took a shot on goal that raised some questions as it appeared to hit defender Eriq Zavaleta in the face. This unexpected turn of events resulted in an own goal by Galaxy, granting the Timbers a 2-1 lead. It was clear from Zavaleta's reaction that he was feeling frustrated, having not only scored an own goal but also seeing his team down a goal.
Just five minutes later, Douglas Costa delivered a stunning left-footed goal from the top of the box, with an assist from Raheem Edwards. But the action didn't stop there. A mere four minutes later, Zavaleta, seemingly on a mission to redeem himself, capitalized on yet another cross, this time from Douglas Costa, and expertly headed the ball into the net. His celebration, filled with pride and passion, not only elevated the spirits of his team but also ignited a wave of energy throughout the entire stadium, igniting the fans who cheered with enthusiasm as Galaxy gained a 3-2 lead, ending the first half positively.
The second half unfolded as a seesaw battle, with both teams showcasing impressive saves from their goalkeepers, Bond and Bingham. The Timbers displayed their unwavering determination, exemplified by a crucial 75th-minute goal from their captain, Felipe Mora, leveling the match at 3-3.
From an external viewpoint, it was evident that the substitutions made by LA Galaxy didn't have an effective impact and it seemed it had slowed down the game and lacked quick transitions on the attacking front and midfield. Felipe Mora was substituted out in the 90th minute, and although the Timber's offense managed to produce two moderately dangerous shots, they didn't pose a significant threat to the Galaxy's goal.
As the clock ticked into the 93rd minute of aggregate time, the Timbers had one last chance from a corner kick, targeting Defender Mabiala, who executed a terrific header, although it missed the mark. This ultimately led to a final score of 3-3.
Attendance: 23,101
Goals:
5' Santiago Moreno- Goal
10' , 45'+1' Eriq Zavaleta- Goals
38' Eriq Zavaleta ( OG)- Goal
43' Douglas Costa- Goal
76' Felipe Mora- Goal