LA Galaxy suffer heavy defeat to Portland Timbers, crash out of Open Cup

A shorthanded LA Galaxy traveled to Portland hoping to spring an upset, but by the half hour mark the floodgates were opened as LA were knocked out of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to the tune of four goals.

With several lineup changes the Galaxy were positive in the opening half hour, frustrating a potent Timbers attack while threatening Steve Clark’s goal on a few occasions: At one point Emmanuel Boateng had an open look from close range after cutting inside, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

The Timbers went ahead in the 28th minute when Tomás Conechny’s restart from the left flank found the head of Brian Fernandez at the near post, who flicked centrally only for Perry Kitchen to stab the ball past Matt Lampson and into the net.

Portland would double their lead in the 34th minute off an all-around poor sequence from the Galaxy back line: After Jeremey Ebobessie broke through on the breakaway and lifted the ball over Lampson Dave Romney was unable to clear the ball effectively, essentially gifting Fernandez a tap-in. Sebastian Blanco found himself open and fired a left footed rocket past Lampson to kill the game before the half.

Jorge Moreira added a fourth to add to Portland’s lead late as LA slumped to an embarrassing defeat.