LAFC 1-1 Portland Timbers: Player ratings as a 96th minute goal earns both sides a point

LAFC managed to hold the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Banc of California Stadium, courtesy of an extra time goal by Mamadou Ibra Mbacke Fall.

Yimmi Chara opened up the scoring in the 18th minute, centering himself inside Portland’s box before completing a perfectly timed bicycle kick that beat goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to the upper left corner.

After the initial goal, LAFC did not hold back. Carlos Vela and Brian Rodfriguez pounced on the attack, forcing Timbers goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič to several stellar saves. The second half saw Los Angeles extend their dominance, constantly pushing forward to manage 25 overall shots and 69 percent of possession. 

The Timbers managed to hold off a determined LAFC for as long as possible, suffering with only 10 men on the pitch after Claudio Blanco was forced off the pitch with a second yellow card in the second half. 

The pressure proved too much for the visiting team, succumbing to LAFC’s offense before Mamadou Ibra Mbacke Fall took advantage in the 96th minute of the match. The defender connected with Brian Rodriguez to receive the initial pass and tap the ball into the lower right corner for the equalizer. 

LAFC goes into week three of the 2022 MLS season with one victory and one draw, while the Timbers boast two draws.

LAFC player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Maxime Crépeau (GK) - 7/10 - Absolutely not at fault for not saving Chara's chilena.

Franco Escobar (RB) - NA/10 - Subbed off in the 12th minute with an injury.

Jesús Murillo (CB) - 6/10 - Started slow, but gained confidence to push forward as the game progressed.

Mamadou Ibra Mbacke Fall (CB) - 9/10 - Provided the necessary coverage at the back, but became a hero with the extra time goal.

Diego Palacios (LB) - 6/10 - Did well before being subbed off with an injury in the 66th minute.

2. Midfielders

Kellyn Acosta (CM) - 7/10 - Could have done better given Portland was a man down.

Ilie Sánchez (CM) - 6/10 - More is expected given his potential, but did an adequate job.

Jose Cifuentes (CM) - 6/10 - Still waiting for him to unleash all the untapped potential.

3. Forwards

Carlos Vela (RW) - 7/10 - Disappointing to watch after scoring a hat-trick in LAFC's season opener, but managed a couple shots before being subbed early in the second half.

Cristian Arango (CF) - 7.5/10 - Served LAFC's offensive force in the second half, but could have been better given the extra man advantage.

Brian Rodríguez (LW) - 8/10 - Unfortunate not to get his goal, but managed a last minute assist to secure the draw.

4. Substitutes

Ryan Hollingshead - 6/10 - Did as expected.

Kwadwo Opoku - 5/10 - Should not be considered as a replacement for Vela.

Latif Blessing - 6/10 - Failed to make any type of difference.

Danny Musovski - 4/10 - Wasn't given a proper chance being subbed in with 5 minutes left on the clock.

Portland Timbers player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Aljaž Ivačič (GK) - 8.5/10 - Great during the first half before being constantly tested during the second half, did well given the disadvantage.

José Van Rankin (RB) - 6/10 - Overworked in the second half, translating to sloppy mistakes.

Zac McGraw (CB) - 7/10 - Good, consistent defending throughout.

Bill Tuiloma (CB) - 7/10 - Acted as expected.

Claudio Bravo (LB) - 2/10 - Any efforts are overshadowed when receiving a second yellow and leaving your team one player down.

6. Midfielders

Santiago Moreno (RW) - 7/10 - Good technical ability on the ball.

Diego Chará (CM) - 8/10 - Consistent, you can always trust the veteran to keep the midfield covered.

Cristhian Paredes (CM) - 7.5/10 - Played a crucial part in Chara's goal, and maintained an offensive mindset throughout.

Dairon Asprilla (LW) - 7.5/10 - Great work on the pitch, made the desired runs to support his side in the win.

7. Forwards

Yimmi Chará (F) - 9/10 - The bicycle kick.

Jarosław Niezgoda (F) - 5/10 - Could have done more to support Chara on the attack.

8. Substitutes

Sebastián Blanco - 7/10 - Did well as a sub, came off the bench to try and impact the game.

George Fochive - 5/10 - Unnoticed.

Marvin Loría - 5/10 - Not given enough time to do anything too threatening with one man down.