Timbers Earn 1-1 Draw on the Road Against LA Galaxy

June 18, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

CARSON, Calif. – The Portland Timbers earned a point on the road with a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday afternoon. Portland took a first-half lead through Yimmi Chara, but the Galaxy evened the match late in the second half to see the two teams each earn a point. The goal was Y. Chara’s fourth of the season, while Sebastián Blanco tallied his team-leading fifth assist in the 2022 campaign.

Offensive Form

Y. Chara ranks second on the team this season with four goals. Three of those four goals have come in road matches and two of his four goals have come in road matches against LA-based MLS sides. The Colombian midfielder leads the team in points with 12 (4G, 4A). Notably, Y. Chara has tallied a goal and eight assists in nine career matches against the Galaxy. Blanco notched his team-leading fifth assist of the 2022 season and created the most chances (5) of any player on either team in today’s match. During his time with the club, Blanco has recorded three goals and five assists against the Galaxy.

Familiar Faces Back

Today’s match saw the return of three of Portland’s players from injury: Felipe Mora, Claudio Bravo and Jaroslaw Niezgoda. Mora appeared in his first match since MLS Cup 2021 on Dec. 11 at Providence Park. The Chilean forward was the team’s leading goal scorer during the 2021 regular season with 11 goals. Bravo made his first appearance for Portland since April 23, making his ninth appearance of the season in the match. Niezgoda made his first appearance in league play since May 7, logging 60 minutes in his return against the Galaxy.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – Yimmi Chara (Sebastián Blanco), 38th minute: Sebastián Blanco weaved the ball down the left wing and delivered a pass into the middle of the field. Yimmi Chara controlled the ball, dribbled through the top of the 18-yard box and fired a left-footed shot near the penalty kick spot into the lower left corner of the goal.

LAG – Dejan Joveljic (Julian Araujo, Kelvin Leerdam), 88th minute: Kelvin Leerdam played the ball down the right side of the field to Julian Araujo, who sent a cross to the near post. Dejan Joveljic made a run into the box and headed the ball to into the top left corner of the goal.

Notes

The Timbers have scored in their last 18 league matches against LA Galaxy, tying the longest active streak in the league (Toronto vs. Chicago, Philadelphia vs. D.C….