The LA Galaxy left it late to salvage a point at home to the Portland Timbers on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to draw 1-1.
Returning to action following the international break, Greg Vanney’s side were looking to extend a two-match winning streak across all competitions.
However, it was the Timbers who started the match on the front foot, creating a number of openings and causing havoc at the heart of the Galaxy defense. Portland’s breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute when Sebastian Blanco led a counter-attack and set up Yimmi Chara to finish just moments after Chicharito failed to connect with a cross at the other end.
For a long while, it looked like that goal would settle the tie as LA struggled to carve the Timbers open. Chicharito missed from inside the six-yard box in the 67th minute but Portland looked comfortable otherwise.
That was until the 88th minute when Dejan Joveljic lost Larrys Mabiala with a darting run to the near post, heading home an excellent Julian Araujo cross to equalize.
The result keeps the Galaxy in touch with the teams above them in the Supporters’ Shield race, while Portland remain outside the MLS Cup Playoff spots.
Here are the full player ratings from Dignity Health Sports Park:
Dejan Joveljić with a beautiful equalizing header LATE to make it 1-1. 👀 pic.twitter.com/h7osHOEiuV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 18, 2022
GK: Jonathan Bond – 5/10 – Helpless for Chara’s goal but wasn’t convincing when the ball came into his box.
RB: Julian Araujo – 7/10 – Was caught high up the pitch for Portland’s goal, but can’t be blamed as he almost grabbed an assist. Still made up for it with an excellent cross for the equalizer.
CB: Nick DePuy – 5/10 – Couldn’t stop Blanco’s run or pass to Chara for the Timbers’ opener, though he was trying to cover for Araujo. Saw a late winner rightly ruled out for a push in the box.
CB: Derrick Williams – 2/10 – Caught in two minds for Chara’s goal, taking a step toward the Colombian before hesitating. Looked on the edge of a mistake all afternoon.
LB: Raheem Edwards – 7/10 – One of the Galaxy’s better players, popping up all over the pitch and trying to kick-start attacks.
CM: Rayan Raveloson – 3/10 – Watched Chara run all the way past him without reacting for the goal. A little sloppy and wasteful with the ball.
CM: Marky Delgado – 6/10 – Clean on the ball and put in plenty of effort defensively. Needed more help from Raveloson.
RW: Kevin Cabral – 5/10 – Tried to make things happen but struggled to offer any real cutting edge.
CAM: Victor Vazquez – 7/10 – Looked dangerous from set-pieces but was forced out early with an injury.
LW: Samuel Grandsir – 3/10 – Attempted nine crosses but found his mark with just one, lost the ball 17 times, and was given a yellow card for diving.
ST: Chicharito – 5/10 – Electric movement but missed a golden chance in the second half that was tailor-made for Chicharito.
SUB: Dejan Joveljic (32 mins, for Vazquez) – 9/10 – Created space for Chicharito and connected with the Mexican a few times. Came up with another huge moment from the bench – surely he has to start next time out.
SUB: Efrain Alvarez (56 mins, for Cabral) – 6/10 – Created a couple of openings and was lively.
SUB: Kelvin Leerdam (76 mins, for Grandsir) – 6/10 – Positive on the ball despite not having long on the field.
Sheeesh! 🏃♂️💨
Yimmi Chara making everyone look like they’re in slow motion. pic.twitter.com/fHEbQx6Ow9
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 18, 2022
GK: Aljaz Ivacic – 7/10 – Made a couple of big saves but was let down by his defense.
RB: Jose Van Rankin – 6/10 – Lacked quality with the ball but did fine defensively.
CB: Larrys Mabiala – 3/10 – Was very lucky to escape further punishment for some nasty challenges and completely lost Joveljic for the equalizer.
CB: Dario Zuparic – 6/10 – Kept it simple and cleared the ball away from his box whenever it crossed his path.
LB: Claudio Bravo – 8/10 – An immense defensive performance, making seven tackles, four interceptions, and 13 recoveries. Managed to complete three of his four dribbles and create one chance at the other end, too.
CM: Diego Chara – 8/10 – Vintage Diego Chara, winning the ball back for the Timbers then giving his side breathing space with measured, controlled passing.
CM: Cristhian Paredes – 6/10 – Provided extra legs alongside the veteran Chara but was a little sloppy with the ball.
RW: Santiago Moreno – 6/10 – Moreno always looked to be positive but one powerful near-post shot early on aside, he didn’t come up with the quality needed.
CAM: Sebastian Blanco – 8/10 – Did brilliantly to turn defense into attack in an instant on the goal and looked lively throughout the first half. Tired fast after the break.
LW: Yimmi Chara – 8/10 – Dangerous for an hour and kept his cool to put the Timbers ahead before running out of steam.
ST: Jaroslaw Niezgoda – 5/10 – Was very isolated as the Timbers looked to soak up pressure and counter-attack. Replaced after an hour having put in a lot of thankless running.
SUB: Nathan Fogaça (60 mins, for Niezgoda) – 6/10 – Created a couple of chances and worked hard.
SUB: Marvin Loria (72 mins, for Moreno) – 5/10 – Didn’t adjust to the pace of the match
SUB: Dairon Asprilla (73 mins, for Blanco) – 5/10 – Ineffective from the bench.
SUB: Felipe Mora (85 mins, for Y. Chara) – N/A – No time to get into the game.
