Helped by a red card to center back Derrick Williams just before halftime, the Portland Timbers routed the 10-man LA Galaxy by a 3-0 scoreline on Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.
Williams was sent off in the 44th minute after a crunching challenge on Portland forward Andy Polo, and head referee Alan Kelly went straight to his back pocket for the red card. Polo got subbed off for Felipe Mora, then was seen on the TV broadcast in a leg brace and crutches after absorbing remarkable force.
Mora seized his opportunity right after halftime, nodding home a Josecarlos Van Rankin cross in the 47th minute for a 1-0 lead. Galaxy left back Jorge Villafana was slow to close down the Timbers’ right back, and then the Chilean nodded home past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Mora got another in the 60th minute, beating Galaxy center back Nick Depuy to a rebound for the 2-0 advantage. Van Rankin’s dinked shot hit the crossbar, and the 27-year-old was quickest to react.
Portland sealed the result in the 69th minute when Diego Valeri dispatched a penalty kick to the top corner. Van Rankin slalomed through the Galaxy defense and was tripped up by center back Daniel Steres, followed by Valeri being clinical from the spot.
Goals
47' – POR – Felipe Mora
60' – POR – Felipe Mora
69' – POR – Diego Valeri (PK)
