The Timbers, once again on the road, headed to the Home Depot Center where they fell back into their away form allowing two quick goals within the first ten minutes of action on a volley from Chad Barrett and a penalty kick from Landon Donovan who returned to action after missing three games with injury. The Galaxy captain proved to be too much to handle after ending his scoreless streak which extended to the end of last year. Not only was he able assist on Barret’s goal, but would later be on the receiving end of a Juan Pablo Angel cross that saw him notch his second goal of the night.
Portland wasn’t without it’s chances with several shots by forward Kenny Cooper parried by a brilliant Donovan Ricketts. Though the score line reflects a big disparity between the teams, both goalkeepers played a tremendous game as Troy Perkins took the field for the first time this year. Between the posts the veteran goalkeeper was able to make key saves, including snuffing out a lopsided 4 vs. 1 counter attack that spared the Timbers the heartbreak of more goals from L.A.
The game saw the debut of Portland’s new Designated Player, Diego Chara, who had hooked with the team in L.A. The long flight from Columbia had little effect on the midfielder who after coming off the bench in the second half showed flashes of what has the coaching staff so excited to bring him to Portland. Said Chara after the game, “I thought I played well. I still have to get accustomed to the team and the playing style and my teammates have to get accustomed to me as well.”
Defensively the Timbers continued to struggle with positioning which has plagued them this year in conceding early goals. Rodney Wallace who had been superb the previous two games drew an early yellow card on the Donovan penalty kick after referee Roman Hernandez ruled he had held onto Donovan in the box during his run. Having to play catch up so early in the game broke any rhythm the team had been feeling heading into the game as the team resorted to trying to send long balls over the Galaxy defense. Ultimately that led to few chances for the team who struggled to retain possession throughout the game.
“We probably lost the game in the first ten minutes, going two nil down,” said head coach John Spencer. “I was disappointed that we conceded two goals in quick succession. It’s something that are going to have to address, obviously.”
The team will have a week to get back on message as they host Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field.
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
