Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, LA Galaxy were without star player, Steven Gerrard in their lucky draw against Portland Timbers FC. The match was played at StubHub Center, Carson, California on Sunday night. The Los Angeles soccer franchise were also without injured skipper, Robbie Keane in the crucial encounter between the last two MLS champions.
The Ex-Liverpool striker was absent because he was injured. The Galaxy team were weak at the attack in the first half of the encounter that threatened to end their unbeaten home run.
The team which sits in 4th position in the Western Conference of the MLS league almost lost their first match this season. They won the first 4-1 in the encounter with DC United but lost the second to Colorado Rapids in a hard-fought away match. If they had lost against Portland Timbers, it would have been their first home loss this season.
Portland Timbers Fernando Aldi put the visitors ahead after the break but another slip from Portland defender Nat Borchers that resulted in own goal helped LA Galaxy salvage a point.
Ex-England international Ashley Cole couldn’t inspire the team to fend off the attack of the Portland opposition. In the 52nd minute, Rafael Garcia had hesitated to clear a ball, Portland’s Adi took advantage and sent the ball to the back of the net. Borchers had been great in defense all night but made a mistake when he dived to nod a cross into his own net, giving LA a point from the game. Borchers actions means the California-based squad remain unbeaten in 39 of their last 41 home games.
One of the night’s biggest highlight was when De Jong made a tackle with studs up against Nagbe in the 73rd minute and it resulted in just a yellow card. Portland’s players and coaching crew protested but the referee looked away.