Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Oct 2, 2022 6:42 pm

LAFC edge Timbers, wrap up Supporters’ Shield

Denis Bouanga scored his first MLS goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to lift visiting Los Angeles FC to a Supporters’ Shield-clinching 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Sunday afternoon.

Carlos Vela added his 12th goal of the season earlier in the second half as LAFC (21-8-4, 67 points) captured the trophy awarded to the best regular-season finisher for the second time in their five seasons in the league.

LAFC have a game remaining and a three-point lead on second-place Philadelphia, but can’t be caught because they hold the first tiebreaker of more total victories.

Dairon Asprilla scored his ninth goal of the season to level the game in the 81st minute for Portland (11-9-13, 46 points), which lost for the first time in six matches. The Timbers could have clinched a playoff spot with a victory.

The Timbers are sixth in the Western Conference and two points above the playoff line, but they will fall behind eight-place Real Salt Lake if they lose at Salt Lake City in the regular-season finale for both teams next Sunday.

It appeared LAFC lost their best chance at securing all three points when a potential penalty kick foul on Portland’s Claudio Bravo resulted in a lengthy video review, but no infraction.

But Bouanga had one more chance for the visitors. After reaching a ball down the left, he cut inside between Yimmi Chara and Dario Zuparic, then struck a low shot that deflected of the lunge of defender Bill Tuiloma and past goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

Vela’s brilliance had given LAFC the lead in the 51st minute. Portland looked to be defending LAFC comfortably but had dropped pretty deep with most of the team inside its own penalty area.

Kellyn Acosta played a ball across the top of the box to his right, where Vela received it, cut slightly inside and curled a left-footed shot beyond the dive of Ivacic and into the top corner.

The Timbers mounted considerable pressure in search of an equalizer, and Bravo’s header struck the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Bravo was involved in the equalizer 10 minutes later, sending in a well-weighted, outswinging cross from the left. Asprilla rose and beat Eddie Segura to the ball, sending a powerful header past Maxime Crepeau from about 6 yards away.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

lionel messi
Mar 27, 2024 2:50 pm

Revs expect attendance record for Lionel Messi’s visit

The New England Revolution are on track to break a 22-year-old attendance record when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit on April 27. The Revs announced Wednesday that more than…

daniel rios mls
Mar 27, 2024 1:47 pm

Atlanta United acquire Chivas striker Daniel Rios on loan

Atlanta United acquired striker Daniel Rios on loan from Liga MX side Chivas for the rest of the 2024 season. The 29-year-old Mexico native will occupy a supplemental roster slot,…

mls soccer balls general view
Mar 27, 2024 10:47 am

CF Montreal sign two teen midfielders

CF Montreal announced the signings Wednesday of two teenage Quebec midfielders to their first pro contracts. Alessandro Biello, 17, agreed to a two-year homegrown player deal with options in 2026,…

More Soccer News

lionel messi
Mar 27, 2024 2:50 pm

Revs expect attendance record for Lionel Messi’s visit

The New England Revolution are on track to break a 22-year-old attendance record when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit on April 27. The Revs announced Wednesday that more than…

daniel rios mls
Mar 27, 2024 1:47 pm

Atlanta United acquire Chivas striker Daniel Rios on loan

mls soccer balls general view
Mar 27, 2024 10:47 am

CF Montreal sign two teen midfielders

paxton pomykal
Mar 26, 2024 3:38 pm

FC Dallas M Paxton Pomykal (knee) out for season

gregg berhalter
Mar 24, 2024 11:32 pm

USMNT blanks Mexico for 3rd straight Nations League title

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds