PORTLAND,OREGON (BDCi) — Two Western Conference teams desperate to start putting wins together could only find a share of points,as the Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw on a Sunday afternoon at Providence Park but not before stoppage time drama from both sides.
Just moments after LA’s Robbie Keane appeared to have nicked the winner on a 92nd minute header goal, Portland’s Diego Valeri came to the rescue with the equalizer, highlighting a frenetic finish in the nationally-televised match.
The Galaxy, the most dangerous team on the afternoon with 21 shots to the Timbers’ 10 weren’t able to make the most of what is likely Landon Donovan’s final game before he heads to US national team camp. That means he will probably have to wait until after the World Cup before resuming his quest for MLS’s all-time leading 136th goal.
After starting the month of April with two wins, the Galaxy are now winless in their last three games and remain in seventh place with nine points from seven matches.
The Timbers were on the verge of losing when they inexplicably let a throw in travel all the way to an unmarked Keane for what appeared to be the winner after 91 minutes of solid defense.
However, a week after their first win of the season over D.C. United, Valeri came to the Timbers’ rescue when captain Will Johnson found him free in the box. Valeri sent a roller just under Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to send the sell-out crowd into a frenzy.
The Galaxy applied the most pressure, controlling possession throughout the early going.
Before the half-hour mark, striker Rob Friend and midfielder Stefan Ishizaki each teed up shots from distance that were just off frame. LA’s best chance early on came in the 40th minute when they hit Portland on a counter attack and Donovan found Keane for an open shot in the box. Yet, Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was there for a diving save.
Donovan’s best chance for the record breaking goal came in the 81st minutes with the Galaxy pushing for the winner when he whipped in a left-footed shot from the top of the area that was saved by Ricketts.
The Galaxy hit the road to play the Houston Dynamo on Saturday while the Portland Timbers host the Columbus Crew on the same day.
Source: lagalaxy.com