LAFC 3-2 Portland Timbers: summary, score, goals, highlights, MLS 2023
LAFC - Portland Timbers: as it happened
FT: LAFC 3-2 Portland....
The Black and Gold hang on to record maximum points.
Fogaça carded for Portland.
Four minutes of time to be added.
Last minute of normal time as Portland are playing with increased confidence but it could be a question of, too little, too late.
The clock is against Portland with less than 4 minutes of normal time left.
Less than 10 to go and time running out for Portland as LAFC are still in control of the contest and look comfortable.
Portland have been unable to capitalize on the goal with LAFC well capable to deal with all the visitors can throw at the men in black.
Another card for LASFC as Mosquera is also in the book for a late challenge on a PTFC man.
Into the final 20' at BMO Stadium.
LAFC still in charge.
The Timbers score as Evander pulls one back for the visitors.
Decent finish as the visitors break well ... nice dummy from Paredes.
Some changes for the Timbers coming up as Gio Savarese needs to do something quickly as LAFC have the bit between their teeth.
Gooooooool Opoku slots home after terrible defending from the Timbers
Timbers DP Evander has been pretty quiet this evening with so much faith for Timbers fans deposited in the Brazilian striker.
Free kick from Vela as the Mexican clips the crossbar from a fine effort.
Portland still to get out of gear in this second half.
Off we go.... The Timbers really need a quick response....
Carlos Vela almost bags his second of the night right from the restart.
The teams are back on the pitch with the second half poised to restart.
Next up for Portland.... at home vs St Louis FC.
LAFC take on the Revolution on 12 March.. before that they take on Costa Rican outfit Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the Concacaf Champions League.
The whistle sounds for the interval and LAFC are good value for their half time lead.
Giorgio Chiellini bagging his first goal for the 'Black and Gold' with Carlos Vela doubling the lead for the MLS Cup champions.
Another card as Hollingshead hauls back a Timbers player.
Great chance for Portland as Loria almost heads but McCarthy saves well.
Better for the visitors showing a little more confidence now.
The final ball from the Timbers has been a real letdown ....
Just one shot on target for the men in pink tonight.
We're going to have 9 minutes of added time as Sanchez (LAFC) is carded.
Possession after 43'
LAFC 50-50 PTFC (%)
The card is out and McGraw gets yellow as he brings down Bouanga.
What can the Timbers do by way of reply. The visiting side have really struggled and not really tested McCarthy in the LAFC goal.
The Mexican slots it into the corner and he's off the mark for the season.
Vela to take for LAFC.
Spot kick for LAFC as Opoku is schythed down by Moreno.
The ball is in the net again but this time the referee rules it out for a freekick.
Murillo the guilty man according to the match officials as the visitors are rattled and not too sure there was much wrong with that.
Jarosław Niezgoda seems to have picked up a knock for the Timbers.
Giorgio Chiellini bags his first ever MLS goal as the veteran Italian reacts quickly to poke home from close range.
Despite having the better of the game, LAFC have yet to establish a real rhythm with the various interruptions benefitting the Timbers.
Bouanga forces a fine save from Bingham as Portland clear the danger.
Acosta now goes to ground and once again its a ball to the head as the US international also needs attention from the medical staff.
Williamson takes a ball to the face and goes to ground with the impact.
Once again, the Timbers medical team take to the pitch to deal with the central player.
Too many sloppy passes from the Timbers as the visitors struggle to hurt the home side who look that more and composed.
LAFC knocking on the door as Opoku does well in slotting the ball through to Vela who sees his shot blocked.
Better start from the home side as they look to equal the FC Dallas record of opening day home wins as Carlos Vela shoots but his left footed effort is wide.
Timbers struggling to combine but do earn a corner.
Great noise level from the 3252 fans (as always).
Bouanga almost finds the net as he drives a rasping right footed shot that drifts inches wide.
Chara goes down and the captain needs medical attention.
The last thing Timbers need is a further injury to their main playmaker.
National anthem finely delivered by Jamie Camil...
The tifo from the 3252 end now rises from the south stand and once again it's a MLS Cup win black and gold tifo.
There are about 250 Timbers fans present today and they are tucked away in the visitors section at BMO Stadium.
LAFC are really spinning this out... If anything this has got to serve as added motivation to today's rivals Portland.
Presentation time coming up as key members from LAFC ownership are on hand to present the 2022 Championship rings.
The coaching side are first up before the players also get their box containing the ring.
Gareth Bale and Crepeau (injured LAFC keeper) take to the pitch with the MLS Cup as both teams also take to the pich
LAFC-PTFC weather
It's a fresh March day in downtown LA with a current temperature of 14C/57F ... no rain forecast during the game and ideal conditions for the players. Plenty of cloud cover in the City of Angels.
LAFC set to wear their iconic black and gold today ... Timbers will wear their purple and white rose shirt with white shorts.
LAFC will be presented ahead of the game with 2022 MLS Cup championship winners rings.
A general air of festivity and excitement at BMO Stadium and how dearly the visitors from Oregon would love to rain on the LAFC parade.
Confirmed ... 30 minutes before we kick off....so the action gets underway shortly before 5pm (ET)
Ten minutes pre-kick-off but the game itself will probably kick-off 15 minutes after the published time.
LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell: "What would I do with the MLS Cup trophy? Probably go around the world baptising babies!"
"It's exciting to be be back and it will be a challenge with the additional tournaments and I'm confident we'll be there at the end"
LAFC XI named
Bouanga, Opoku and Mexican Carlos Vela start for LAFC tonight as Steve Cherundolo employs a 4-3-3 for the home side. Giorgio Chiellini makes a start too at the heart of the home side defence.
LAFC heading into sixth season
One MLS Cup win and two Supporters Shields in five season is not a bad haul for one of the newer MLS clubs.
LAFC now head into their sixth season looking to defend their crown and the Black and Gold will also be involved in the Concacaf Champions League as well as the new Leagues Cup that will take place in the months of July and August.
Giant MLS Cup on display at BMO Stadium
Fans arriving early at the BMO Stadium today can avail of having a snap with a giant replica of the MLS Cup trophy.
Timbers XI named
Timbers fans will once again look to big signing Evander as the Brazilian will be the target man for the visitors tonight in a team captained by the tirelass Diego Chara.
Touching Grant Wahl tribute from LAFC
LAFC paid tribute to the US journalist who passed away covering the World Cup in Qatar last December,
Tickets still available
Happen to be free today? Happen to be in the LA area? Get yourself down to BMO Stadium with a small limited amount of match tickets still available from just $58!
See the reigning champions in action and enjoy the pre-game entertainment with plenty of activity planned to celebrate the 2022 MLS Cup win.
LAFC-PTFC: match official
Joseph Dickerson has been selected to oversee the action in Los Angeles today. The match official made his MLS officiating debut back in 2017 looking after the Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City contest.
Timbers open campaign with win
A slender 1-0 win over Sporting KC at Providence Park last Monday was good enough to see the Timbers get their season off to a positive start despite a stodgy display from Giovanni Savarese's men.
Juan Mosquera bagged the only goal of the night for the Oregon side.
LAFC doubts
Both Daniel Crisostomo and Tony Leone are doubts for LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo for the season opener with Maxime Crepeau being a long term absentee for the 'Black and Gold' with a leg fracture sustained in the MLS Cup final last November which ruled the keeper out of the 2022 World Cup with Canada.
After LAFC’s El Tráfico false start last weekend due to bad weather, the team can finally start their engines for the 2023 season against Portland Timbers tonight.
The MLS Champions will be looking to get their campaign up and running with a win against a difficult opponent, but it seems as though they have history on their side: LAFC have won in all five of their season-opening matches in MLS history; only FC Dallas are ahead of that record with 6
LAFC vs Portland Timbers: last five meetings
2 October 2022: Portland Timbers 1-2 Los Angeles FC
11 May 2022: LAFC 2-0 Portland Timbers
7 March 2022: Los Angeles FC 1-1 Portland Timbers
30 September 2021: LAFC 1-2 Portland Timbers
19 Sep. 2021: Portland Timbers 2-1 LAFC
Portland missing six players
Injury problems already are a problem from the side from Oregon with knee issues already leaving Timbers boss Giovanni Savarese with selection problems.
From 5 November to 4 March
Four months, almost to the day since the dramatic climax to the 22 season when LAFC recorded their first MLS Cup win after a dramatic shoot-out over Philadelphia Union, the 'Black and Gold' return to BMO Stadium and look to defend their title.
Tonight's action in the City of Angels gets underway at 4:30 pm (ET) / 1:30 pm (local/Pacific time) or 22:30 CET.
Hello and welcome to our live MLS coverage as LAFC get their 2023 season underway as Portland Timbers are tonight's visitors at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles.