MLS Takes on MLS in US Open Cup: Portland Timbers Scored To Defeat LA Galaxy
The Portland Timbers now advance to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scores the game-winning goal for the Timbers.
The Portland Timbers defeated one of the top contenders, the LA Galaxy, 1-0 before 14,556 fans at Providence Park on Friday night, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the third time in the last six seasons.
The goal was an outstanding, clear and powerful shot that simply bypassed the goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored this all-important game-winning goal in his first U.S. Open Cup start for the Timbers, recording his sixth goal across all competitions in the 2018 campaign.
Just the US OPEN CUP GAME Highlights:
- With the 1-0 win, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last 10 matches (8-0-2) across all competitions.
- Portland recorded its sixth clean sheet of the season across all competitions with the 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy.
- The result also marked Portland’s 10th clean sheet in the U.S. Open Cup since 2004.
Here is the soccer recap from Portland Timbers on the match:
With the 1-0 win, the Timbers advance to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals for the third time as an MLS club, previously reaching that mark in the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.
The Timbers will face the winner of the Round of 16 match between LAFC and USL club Sacramento Republic FC, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) on Wednesday, June 20.
Portland extended its unbeaten run to 10 games across all competitions, dating back to April 14. During that stretch, the Timbers have recorded eight wins and two draws in MLS and U.S. Open Cup play.
With a clean-sheet victory in Friday’s U.S. Open Cup game, the Timbers produced their sixth clean sheet across all competitions this season and the fifth in their last eight matches.
Additionally, Friday’s win marked Portland’s second straight clean sheet in U.S. Open Cup play, previously defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 in the fourth round at Providence Park on June 6. The result also marked Portland’s 10th clean sheet in the U.S. Open Cup since 2004.
What made the difference on the pitch?
Portland created its first chance early in the match when defender Zarek Valentin drove the ball into forward Samuel Armenteros’ feet on the edge of the 18-yard box, with the striker turning and running at his defender, before forcing a strong, close-range save from goalkeeper David Bingham in the 10th minute of play.
Bingham was called into action again just two minutes after Armenteros’ chance when midfielder Diego Chara fired a curling effort toward the top corner from just outside the 18-yard box, forcing another solid save from the goalkeeper.
The Timbers threatened again in the 21st minute when Chara found Blanco in space on the wing, with Portland breaking on the counter-attack. Catching his defender off balance and drifting inside on his right foot, Blanco struck a powerful effort that curled just wide of the far post.
With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the Timbers took the lead through a quick combination play in the final third. The play took place when Valentin played a ball through the lines to forward Fanendo Adi, who quickly flicked the ball inside the area for Blanco.
Running onto Adi’s pass, Blanco skipped around his marker, before carefully placing the ball into the back of the net with a left-footed strike in the 30th minute.
Next game
Next up, the Timbers will return to league play on the road, facing Atlanta United FC on Sunday, June 24, at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
