PER TIMBERS PRESS RELEASE:
Jeremy Ebobisse tallies game-winner in the 84th minute; Portland to face Minnesota United FC in Open Cup semifinals on Aug. 7
LOS ANGELES – Behind a game-winning goal from Jeremy Ebobisse in the 84th minute, the Portland Timbers earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, advancing to the semifinals for the second time in team history.
U.S. Open Cup history
With the win, the Timbers advanced to the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second time in club history (2013, 2019). In three Open Cup matches since June 12, the Timbers registered two shutouts, outscoring their opponents 7-1 across their three victories. The Timbers will square off against Minnesota United FC in the semifinal round of the Open Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 7, with the host site and kickoff time to be determined Thursday morning at 11 a.m. (Pacific) during a draw conducted by U.S. Soccer.
Portland against Los Angeles FC
Portland handed LAFC its first loss at Banc of California Stadium (9-1-1) across all competitions in 2019. Additionally, the loss marked Los Angeles’ third defeat at home (21-3-8) in 32 matches played across all competitions (regular season, playoffs and U.S. Open Cup) dating back the beginning of the 2018 MLS regular-season.
Timbers form
Since beginning U.S. Open Cup competition on June 12, the Timbers have earned six wins in their last seven matches across all competitions, holding a 6-1-0 record and outscoring their opponents 14-3 during that span. Additionally, Portland earned its fifth shutout in six matches across all competitions dating back to a 4-0 win against the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Open Cup on June 19. With the win, Portland improved to 10-3-1 over its last 14 games across all competitions.
Road form
With the win, the Timbers earned their seventh victory on the road in 2019 across all competitions. Portland has won five road contents in league play, while picking up two wins on the road in Open Cup competition. The seven road wins across all competitions ranks first amongst all clubs in MLS this season. Additionally, in their last 10 road matches across all competitions, the Timbers hold a record of 7-2-1.
Key plays
In the eighth minute, a loose ball fell to Jorge Moreira, who was rushing towards the top of the box, but his volleyed shot was fired over the crossbar.
Picking up the ball from just inside his own half, Cristhian Paredes drove past his marker towards the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot that forced LAFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega into a save in the 30th minute. On Marvin Loría’s ensuing corner kick, the ball fell to the feet of Larrys Mabiala just outside the six-yard box, but his shot was parried aside by Sisniega. In the 32nd minute, Loría’s corner-kick delivery found Mabiala, whose powered header from the center of the box was pushed past the post by Sisniega.
Continuing on the attack, Loría was released into space by Sebastián Blanco down the right wing, carrying the ball down the side of the box, cutting onto his left foot before curling his shot just inches past the far post in the 36th minute.
Just before halftime, a counter-attacking play developed down the left flank with the ball eventually falling to Blanco, whose volleyed shot from outside the left edge of the 18-yard box was caught by Sisniega.
Forcing a turnover just outside the Timbers’ 18-yard box, Moreira sprung a quick, counter-attacking play with Blanco finding Fernandez inside the center of the penalty area, but his shot towards the lower-left corner of the net was blocked by defender Jordan Harvey in the 72nd minute. One minute later, Loría cut a pass in behind the LAFC backline inside the penalty area to Blanco, whose shot from close range was saved by Sisniega.
Portland scored the game-winning goal in the 84th when Ebobisse was first to a loose ball down the right side of the penalty area and fired his off-balance shot into the far corner of the net, past the outstretched arm of Sisniega.
In the 86th minute, Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark made a key stop at his near post to deny LAFC forward Adama Diomande from close range. In second-half stoppage time, Zarek Valentin blocked Carlos Vela’s bicycle-kick attempt from just outside the six-yard box.
Notes:
- The Portland Timbers have qualified for the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup for the second time in club history (2013, 2019).
- Since 2013, Portland has 10 victories over MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup play. The 10 wins are tied for the most in that timespan, along with Sporting Kansas City.
- The match was the 33rd U.S. Open Cup game in club history.
- In their last 14 matches in all competitions, the Timbers are 10-3-1 with seven road wins, all against MLS competition.
- Portland handed Los Angeles FC their first loss at Banc of California Stadium (9-1-1) across all competitions in 2019, and only their third loss at home (21-3-8) in 32 matches played across all competitions (regular season, playoffs and U.S. Open Cup) dating back the beginning of the 2018 season.
- Jeremy Ebobisse scored his sixth goal across all competitions in 2019. Ebobisse has scored two goals in U.S. Open Cup play this season, while tallying four goals in MLS competition.
- Marvin Loría played in U.S. Open Cup competition for the first time in 2019.
- The Timbers have five shutouts in their last six matches across all competitions, dating back to June 12.
- Goalkeeper Steve Clark has not conceded a goal in his last 492 minutes of play.
Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles FC (Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup)
July 10, 2019 – Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
Los Angeles FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Ebobisse, 84
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Blanco (caution), 34
LAFC: Segura (caution), 62
POR: Mabiala (caution), 66
POR: Moreira (caution), 68
LAFC: Diomande (caution), 70
Lineups:
POR: GK Clark, D Moreira, D Mabiala, D Cascante, D Valentin, M Paredes, M Chara ©, M Loría (Valeri, 74), M Blanco (Flores, 90+2), M Ebobisse (Asprilla, 85), F Fernandez
Substitutes Not Used: GK McIntosh, D Dielna, D Farfan, M Conechny
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Four players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Mabiala, 2); FOULS: 21 (Mabiala, Valeri 3); OFFSIDES:2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1
LAFC: GK Sisniega, D Beitashour (Blackmon, 78), D Zimmerman, D Segura, D Harvey (El-Munir, 87), M Kaye, M Atuesta, M Blessing, F Vela ©, F Ramirez (Diomande, 64), F Rossi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Miller, M Pérez, M Nguyen, F Zelaya
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Kaye, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Diomande, 1); FOULS: 10 (Atuesta, 3); OFFSIDES:2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein, Diego Blas
4th Official: Michael Radchuk
Attendance: 18,947
Weather: Clear, 71 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
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