CARSON, Calif. – Facing MLS competition for the first time this preseason, the LA Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers this afternoon at The Home Depot Center. Paolo Cardozo scored early in the second half, giving LA a 1-0 lead, only for the Timbers to equalize three minutes later to earn a 1-1 draw.
Watch Cardozo's Goal
The Galaxy had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, testing Portland goalkeeper Adin Brown on a number of occasions, but they were unable to break the deadlock. The forward pairing of Juan Pablo Angel and Chad Barrett created multiple chances, while Juninho went close near the end of the half.
At the other end of the field, the Timbers created a pair of quality attacking opportunities, with Ryan Pore and Rodney Wallace each going close, but neither was able to force a save out of Donovan Ricketts, who was making his preseason debut.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was forced to make one change to his lineup midway through the first half when Miguel Lopez was sent off after catching Steve Purdy with a high foot. The two coaches agreed to continue to play 11v11, but LA was forced to remove Lopez from the game, replacing him with Paolo Cardozo.
Cardozo was back on the field for the start of the second half and got LA on the board just two minutes after the restart. Bryan Jordan got free on the right flank and got behind Portland left back Chris Taylor before cutting a short pass into the path of Cardozo, who hit a left-footed shot past Jake Gleeson, giving LA a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute.
However, that lead was shortlived as the Timbers equalized three minutes later. A right wing corner from Rodrigo Lopez bounced around in the box before Brian Umony stabbed it over the line from close range, tying the score at 1-1.
Both teams worked to create chances over the final 40 minutes of the game, but neither could find a breakthrough. Cardozo came closest to breaking the deadlock for LA, attempting an audacious lob from 40 yards out, only to see Gleeson scramble back to his line and tip the shot over the bar.
Highlights and postgame reaction from AJ DeLaGarza & Bryan Jordan
Scoring
Summary:
LA – Paolo Cardozo (Bryan Jordan) 47’ WATCH NOW
POR – Brian Umony (Unassisted) 50’
Misconduct
Summary:
LA – Miguel Lopez (Red Card) 26’
LA – Bryan Jordan (Yellow Card) 68’
POR – Tony McManus (Yellow Card) 69’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts (Josh Saunders 46’); Frankie Hejduk (Dustin McCarty 46'), Leonardo (Sean Franklin 46'), Omar Gonzalez (Gregg Berhalter 46’), A.J. DeLaGarza (Ryan Thomas 46’); Landon Donovan (Bryan Jordan 46’), Michael Stephens (Chris Birchall 46’), Juninho (Jovan Kirovski 46’), Miguel Lopez (Paolo Cardozo 26’); Juan Pablo Angel (Adam Cristman 46’), Chad Barrett (Mike Magee 46’).
