Portland Timbers x LAFC

In a Saturday night soccer showdown at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers flexed their defensive muscles and gave the home crowd a reason to cheer with a solid 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC, making it three games unbeaten.

The first goal was a real beauty. Evander whipped in a corner kick that had everyone on the edge of their seats. LAFC's goalkeeper, John McCarthy, went for a punch, but he missed the mark. Larrys Mabiala, one of our rock-solid defenders, didn't miss a beat and headed that ball straight into the net.

But they weren't done there, the Timbers wanted more goals, and they got them. Claudio Bravo was like a lightning bolt near the midfield, sparking a break that was pure beauty. Yimmi Chara and Santiago Moreno put on a show with some slick passes near the edge of the box. Moreno pulled off a cheeky backheel pass to Bravo, who was charging into the box, and Bravo didn't miss from up close to make it 2-0. It was a goal well worth celebrating.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Hector Mendoza]