Portland v LA
Miller called for a DFK 10 yards on the field just beyond the area, this is like a far closer corner at just 90 seconds in. Now LA with a corner, to the near edge of the 6, partially cleared as LA holds, they go end line getting another corner, it is short and back, then played in, foul on LA. Anthony overruns the ball then loses it for the Timbs. Portland with a good look to regain the ball, pull it back and reset. Moreno the target as a ball goes throughout the area. Portland getting some great ball movement, nothing on and they pull it back and go again. High percentage passes, not forcing the issue now they go to their defensive end, a pass later, it rolls into the LA area. Anthony with a nice lead ball, he loses it and fouls. Portland gets end line played in, defended out for a corner. McCarthy grabs the bal,l looks to jump start the offense with a long kick, the ball is taken away. McCarthy and his back line cannot pass it back and forth again the passing back and forth under such pressure is not good. How does Optimum get a commercial in the middle of a soccer game, not an injury, not a split screen, had to see if my new cable service was a bit off. Portland with another corner. A ball outside is off by at least 20 yards and lost in the offensive third of Portland. Fagundez with the LA corner, he goes to the far post and it is grabbed without issue, the distribution did not work out well and it never cleared their half for Portland. Fagundez, drops it back just beyond the area and the ball goes well into the seats. Moreno called or a handball in a crowd. Foolish hard foul on Portland as a player is sent rolling in their offensive third, does not really allow you the chance to win the ball back, now a yellow to the same player in Fory. Portland steal it just beyond the area, a half effort on goal turned back then they give up a throw near half field slowing the LA offense. McCarthy off his line unable to hold it Fagundez shields the ball as Portland was right there and he covers it up. The target gets the ball, it is then played all but straight up, LA gets it back and now pressing into the offensive third, Miller loses it and Portland get forward, Dacosta gets a corner combining with Moreno who is over the corner, taken short to the near edge of the 6 and headed out, back in at McCarthy. Anthony for Moreno out to Dacosta shot turned back a deep throw for Portland not even ten yards off the end line, now to their GK. LA with 4 passes in the area, the shot a half chance sent far and wide, get the shot off. LA holding well near midfield but not really getting forward. To the top of the area and no support lost then recovered. A foul let to go is then called back on a break away, that needs to be called faster. Now below the 18 and back out a 30 yard shot snuffed and Portland has it going forward, a poor ball in as it was sailed and to the center of the area, wasted chance at 45’. Halftime ends as it started 0-0.
Neither team is doing much of anything, LA needs to get forward, not just hold the ball, they are not looking to create overloads, imbalances. Portland is getting forward just with more effectiveness, finish the plays.
Portland with a corner short Miller partially clears Da Costa into the 6 and it is sent home, redirected by Mora and 1-0 Timbs at 50’. LA win a corner as they advanced through the area. The corner lands in the 6, then out for another corner. Taken short and another corner. This one goes short into the first defender, barely out of the area back in and Timbs come out with it for Mora he is overrun for the ball to the GK. Unmolested passes by the Timbs in and around midfield. Back and forth getting a bit forward of the center circle then back to it again and again. LA gets it just about the arc, get forward then into the area. Just above the area, now in and a ball in is blocked out for a throw, heads up defense to avoid a corner then a foul by the home team. Pec with an effort that does not find it’s home. LA into the area, lose it over the end line. LA into the area goes across the area, now well above it. Fagundez into the area defended out LA holds it Pec tries to curl one in far post. Yamane in for Garces for LA at 65’. LA awkward to the end line go side netting. Pec to goal and it cannot be sent home in the 6. LA with a great steal, the player then goes too long for Pec getting very forward. LA with another corner it is taken to the center of the 6, the GK boxes it out. LA near the end line just out of the area now beyond the area on the wing, further back now below the circle a quick 80 yard loss. Over the top headed down and LA recovers, get forward partially cleared they get it back at the bottom of the circle where Morena is cut down. Ramirez on as is Yamane, Nascimento on loan from Botofogo for Surriel, Kelsey is on Miller off McGraw on Ayala is out Mora is out. Miller indicating his lower right pains him? Pec loses it Portland passes inside and LA gets it back. Ramirez struck down and maybe 35 yards out, LA has a DFK. Pec goes high and the wall knocks it away, LA holds on the opposite side now, into the area and partially cleared by Fagundez, Pec gets off a poor shot, it trickles wide right, LA corner, short then played a bit distant played in far off the goal. Lassiter is now on for Da Costa. LA equalizes at 81’ by Ramierz, he has been getting good goals since even before his NASL days. Over the top, off his chest, full volley near post, goal this is highlight and clinical. Waiting on VAR, all goals are reviewed, the crowd is getting loud and it will stand, tie game 82’ to be right back where we started. Portland with good movement get a decent look at the goal and McCarthy is down with a leg ailment, he went down for the block and came up grabbing at his hamstring, he did half a split, an explosive movement. Over the top back out a bit and then grabbed by the GK, shots must come of such runs. Pec carries, he goes inside now back into the area now out to the wing, well beyond the area now to the LA defensive half. Long ball headed out by the GK just beyond his area, LA regains possession. Pec has it Foray plays it out of touch. Fagundez out for Garces at 89’.Portland with a steal recovered at midfield LA holds, 6’ of added time to be played. LA with a throw they go to their defensive half and further now to the GK, over half the field just given away, in added time. Ramierz, Nascimento and it is out of touch. Garces gets it inside, now left wing as LA still holds and go back not forward for a lead ball but it was not on both players at the top of the area staring at each other, the fault lays with the distribution. Lassiter with a weak shot. Moreno is getting after someone as Paredes was taken down in the area rather hard but no whistle, but they let it play to let VAR deal with it. Ariel needs to get the shot off he topped it terribly, kicking up lots of crumb rubber. Hands to the throat as well, but no major review. A caution to the Timbers bench probably Neville. 30 yards out and a bit to the left Moreno into the area cleared high and wide the GK well out sends it out of touch. Kelsey presses McCarthy he gets it away and Pec with a foul deep in his offensive third. Neville is still making a lot of noise. Paredes bounces a ball to the GK, Neville is boiling. Do not be surprised if any p0ost game fireworks go off here. Neville greeting opponents but stalking the refs. Neville, wisely refused comment post game.