PORTLAND, Ore. – The LA Galaxy needed a sprinkling of Alan Gordon late-game magic to earn a point on the road in a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday.
Despite controlling the match for long periods of time, the Galaxy appeared to be staring defeat in the face after Fanendo Adi scored his second goal in the game’s dying moments. However, Gordon came to the rescue with a very late equalizer to rescue a 2-2 draw.
“It would have been awful not to get a point out of this game,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. “Our team was very good over the last 60 minutes today … We had to fight really get a point out of this game but we deserved it.”
LA captain Robbie Keane agreed, “Every time that we come here, it seems to be the same game all the time … But there’s no way that we deserved to lose that game.”
In a match that featured a trademark Pacific Northwest downpour and swirling winds, it was the home side that s struck first as a Portland counterattack resulted in Adi’s first of the evening.
The Galaxy responded well to going a goal down as the wide play of Jose Villarreal and Stefan Ishizaki plut the Timbers under considerable pressure. This pressure down the flanks that resulted in the Galaxy’s equalizer as Gyasi Zardes connected with a perfect Villarreal cross.
With Arena searching for a winner and LA’s flank play giving the Timbers fits, the Galaxy boss turned to Gordon in a situation that seemed tailor-made for the target striker.
“I thought that I was going to get a chance or two and it’s my job to put one of those away,” Gordon said. “And tonight that happened.”
The goal came off a Stefan Ishizaki corner as Gordon brushed off Timbers defender Jorge Villafaña and nodded the cross in the back of the net to steal a point for the Galaxy.
“It was exciting at the end, it was disappointing to go down so late after we came into the game and took control in the second half,” said Gordon. “For us to steal a point is huge for us and our momentum as we go back to L.A.”
Although the 2015 campaign is in its early stages, Gordon believes that LA’s ability to grind out a result amid the tough conditions in Portland is a positive sign for the Galaxy moving forward.
“It’s a great sign early to come back and show such character,” said Gordon. “But this is a team that has been here and been together. We’re used to these situations, but to show heart late in a game is good as we move forward.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
