Valeri's Late Goal Helps Timbers Draw 1-1 Vs. Galaxy
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Diego Valeri scored in the final minute of stoppage time to pull the Portland Timbers into a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
The equalizer came after Robbie Keane's header two minutes into stoppage time appeared to give the Galaxy the win. Los Angeles peppered Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts with shots all game, but couldn't break through until Keane's fifth goal of the season.
Valeri's goal was his second of the year.
Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan remained at 134 career MLS goals, tied with Jeff Cunningham for the league record.
Portland, which finished with the best regular season record in the Western Conference last season, has just one victory so far this year, last weekend's late 3-2 win over D.C. United.
The Galaxy were coming off a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids last weekend, snapping a four-match unbeaten streak.
Los Angeles was without center back Omar Gonzalez, who hurt his left knee in the first half of the loss at Colorado. He's being held out as a precaution so that he can take part in the U.S. national team's training for the World Cup.
Gonzalez and Donovan are expected to report Wednesday to the U.S. team's training camp at Stanford.
Portland was hurt early when defender Michael Harrington left the match with an apparent right ankle injury. The ankle had bothered him early this week. Later in the game Portland midfielder Diego Chara came off after what appeared to be a left hand injury, replaced by Ben Zemanski.
The Timbers looked to have a chance in the 34th minute but Valeri couldn't get a shot off as he charged Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
Most eyes were on Donovan, who looked to have a shot in the box in the 39th minute before Chara stole the ball.
Donovan is scoreless in all six league games he's played this season. He's had four goals and three assists in seven career matches against the Timbers dating back to 2011 when Portland joined MLS.
Futty Danso's header for Portland in the 59th minute hit the far post as the sellout crowd at Providence Park gasped. Ricketts tipped a hard shot from Galaxy forward Keane in the 82nd minute, but couldn't stop Keane's second shot in stoppage time.
The Galaxy finished with 21 shots to Portland's 10.
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