The Portland Timbers closed out their preseason with a road win over the LA Galaxy tonight, opening up a two goal lead thanks to a brace from Fanendo Adi before giving up a late consolation goal to end the match at 2-1.
The Timbers started things off looking every bit as dominant as they have throughout the preseason, winning the ball high up the pitch and holding possession for much of the match.
It looked like the Timbers had made the most of their high pressure in the 27th minute, when Fanendo Adi was able to get his head on an errant pass along the LA back line, knocking the ball forward for Diego Valeri. A step ahead of the defense, Valeri raced in behind the Galaxy back line and found himself one on one with LA keeper Brian Rowe, only to put his chipped shot just wide of goal.
Although that chance went wanting, the Timbers would not have to wait long to open up the scoring as Adi put the side on the board just two minutes later. This time it was Valeri who played a ball in behind the back line for Adi, who turned on his man and unleashed a strong shot that blew past Rowe and rippled the back of the net.
The Galaxy were not without chances of their own and looked like they might fight their way back into the match with some possession early in the second half, only to be undone by another takeaway high up the pitch.
With the Galaxy looking to move the ball out of their end, youngster Marco Farfan made a clutch tackle on Romain Alessandrini and David Guzman collected the ball and weighed his options before playing Valeri in behind the Galaxy back line once again. Driving toward goal, Valeri sucked in the Galaxy’s defense before dishing a simple pass to the foot of Adi who slipped home the tap-in to make the score 2-0.
The Galaxy would pull one back in the 80th minute, capitalizing on a late free kick. Alessandrini floated the spot kick in toward the back post and found the head of full back Dave Romney who headed back across the face of goal. With the Timbers’ defense spinning in their boots, it was center back Daniel Steres who got a head to the second ball, redirecting the chance past Gleeson for the goal.
The Timbers open the regular season at home on Friday when they host expansion side Minnesota United.
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