Timbers Extend Unbeaten Run to Six with Draw at LAFC2

August 17, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release

FULLERTON, Calif. ‚ – Timbers2 picked up their sixth straight result with a 2-2 draw against LAFC2 on Friday night at Titan Stadium. Tega Ikoba and Josh Penn each scored their sixth goal of the 2024 season as T2 picked up its first-ever road result against the Southern California side. The draw propelled the club to seventh place in the Western Conference standings with six games left to play in the regular season.

Leading Scorers

Ikoba and Penn each netted their sixth goals of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, remaining tied for the team lead in goals scored. The duo surpassed Kyle Linhares, who has scored five times this season. Together, the attacking trio have combined to net 17 of the club’s 35 goals so far this season. Additionally, Ikoba became the first T2 player this season to score in four consecutive matches. The forward scored the club’s second-ever hat trick in a match against Sporting Kansas City II on July 25 and has since scored a goal against The Town FC (Aug. 4), Austin FC II (Aug. 8) and LAFC2. Penn scored his third goal from the penalty spot this season.

Home Stretch

Timbers2 enter the final stretch of the regular season with just three defeats in their last 15 matches (5-3-7), a run that dates back to a 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC2 on May 3. Additionally, T2 is currently on a six-game unbeaten run (2W, 4D) with 12 goals scored. Of the club’s six remaining matches, three are at home and three are on the road. T2 and LAFC2 will square off one last time on Sept. 14, at Providence Park.

Goal-Scoring Plays

LAFC – Luis Müller, 7th minute: With LAFC2 awarded a free kick on the right side of the box, Luis Müller stepped up and used his left foot to send the ball through the wall and into the bottom-right corner of the net.

POR – Tega Ikoba (Harvey Neville), 45+4 minute: Off a short-corner, Harvey Neville received the ball in the right corner of the field and sent a cross into the box that found Tega Ikoba at the far post. The forward outjumped several defenders to head the ball off the ground and into the goal.

POR – Josh Penn (penalty kick), 48th minute: With Portland awarded a penalty kick after Kyle Linhares was fouled inside the box, Josh Penn stepped up and used his left foot to slot the ball to the bottom-right corner.

LAFC – Diego Rosales, 82nd minute: Ryan Bilichuk saved a shot attempted by Nick Sullivan, but the high-arching rebound found the head of Diego…