LAFC EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK TO EIGHT GAMES, DEFEATS PORTLAND TIMBERS 3-2
Interviews with Bob Bradley, Carlos Vela, Latif Blessing & Diego Rossi Below
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) earned its fourth road victory of the season and 11th overall after defeating the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Saturday night. Goals from Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing spoiled the Timbers’ season opener at Providence Park.
Vela opened up the scoresheet in the 6th minute after intercepting an errant pass from Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. Vela would then assist on Rossi’s goal in the 34th minute following a lovely build-up play down the right wing. Defender Tristan Blackmon also assisted on the play – registering his first in MLS one week after scoring his first professional goal for LAFC.
Moments into the second half, the Timbers would get one back via Cristhian Paredes to cut the lead in half. LAFC answered back eight minutes later after Blessing’s nifty one-time finish extended the lead once more for the Black & Gold. Portland would make things interesting down the stretch after Brian Fernández’s bicycle kick beat Tyler Miller in the 84th minute, but LAFC would hang on to earn all three points and its second victory of the season over the Timbers.
LAFC goes into the Concacaf Gold Cup break nine points clear in the Supporters’ Shield standings with a record of 11-1-4 (37 points). Next up for the Black & Gold is a Fourth Round U.S. Open Cup matchup against Real Salt Lake on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Rio Tinto Stadium. LAFC then returns to league play on Friday, June 28 on the road against the Colorado Rapids at 7:00 p.m. PT at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park (UniMás, ESPN 710 AM, KFWB 980 AM).
WHAT:
LAFC Extends Unbeaten Streak To Eight Games, Defeats Portland Timbers 3-2
FOOTAGE:
Interviews with Bob Bradley, Carlos Vela, Latif Blessing and Diego Rossi can be downloaded here.
PHOTOS:
Photos from tonight’s match can be downloaded here. Credit should be given to LAFC.
STATS:
Official stat sheet available here.
QUOTES:
Post-game transcripts can be downloaded here.