CARSON, Calif. — The Portland Timbers staged another comeback on Friday, but also surrendered a late lead, settling for a 2-2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy after a wild second half at the StubHub Center.
An 86th-minute own goal tied the score for the Galaxy when a cross deflected off of retreating Timbers defender RauwshanMcKenzie and into the goal.
Diego Valeri and Jorge Villafana scored three minutes apart for Portland as the Timbers took a 2-1 lead less than six minutes after falling behind 1-0 on a Marcelo Sarvas goal in the 65th minute.
The result was the ninth draw in 18 matches for the Timbers, who are 4-5-9 for 21 points. The Galaxy (5-3-6) also have 21 points, but have played three fewer games than Portland.
Valeri scored on a low 17-yard drive after the ball deflected off a Los Angeles defender. Villafana’s first Timbers goal came in similar fashion. Villafana pounced on a rebound after a Valeri rebound chance was blocked.
Timbers coach Caleb Porter said the draw was a fair result.
“If we play like we played tonight over the course of the next 16 games, we’re going to be where we need to be,” Porter said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made five saves, including reaching for a Juninho free kick from 18 yards in the 17th minute. That free kick came when Diego Chara fouled Landon Donovan, a foul the that came close to being inside the penalty area.
Chara received a yellow card, which means he will miss the Timbers’ MLS game in Seattle on July 13.
The Galaxy had two early chances. In the 11th minute Robbie Keane broke free behind the defense but was denied by. In the 15th minute, with Los Angeles buzzing around the 18-yard box, a curving shot from Sarvas caught the right post.
“If we were a little bit higher in the table, this would be a result that we’d be happy about,” Porter said. “So I’m not going to let where we are in the table taint the fact that that’s a good point against a very good team on the road.”
Ahead for the Timbers are two games against the Sounders. On July 9, Portland and Seattle meet in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, a match that will be played at the Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. On July 13, the Timbers meet the Sounders at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Champions League games announced
The Timbers will begin 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League play on Aug. 19 on the road against Alpha United FC of Guyana — a 4,600-mile one-way trip. The Timbers home matches for the group stage of the tournament are on Sept. 16 against Club Deportivo Olimpia of Honduras, and on Sept. 23 against Alpha United. Portland will visit the Honduran club on Oct. 21 to complete group play. The winner of each three-team group advances to the knockout phase of the tournament.
Tickets for the Sept. 16 match against CD Olimpia go on sale on Wednesday. That match is included in season-ticket packages. Also, season-ticket holders, members of the season-ticket waitlist and Thorns FC season-ticket holders can buy tickets for the Sept. 16 match on Monday and Tuesday.
