International duty made a mark on this game for both teams.
Five Los Angeles FC players missed the match due to international duty: Denis Bouanga, Stipe Biuk, Denil Maldonado, Christian Torres, and Cristian Olivera.
Representin’ Rose City 🌹
▪️ Paredes through the middle 💪
▪️ Bravo returns in support 👊
▪️ Unchanged front three 💥#RCTID pic.twitter.com/TXgdAK3hjj— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) September 10, 2023
Three Portland Timbers got call-ups for their countries: Juan David Mosquera, Miguel Araujo, and Bryan Acosta. However, the most notable absence was Dario Župarić, who was out due to yellow card accumulation.
If you play against LAFC, you never know which stars will show up—even on the road.
Respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/YPQHSeKfAX
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) September 10, 2023
Unfortunately for Will Ferrell, who is a member of the LAFC ownership group and made the trip up to Portland for the match, a shorthanded LAFC had no answer for the home side.
Interim head coach Miles Joseph led the Timbers to a 2-0 statement win over one of the best sides in MLS.
Although LAFC is struggling as of late, this takes nothing away from how tough of a season it has been for Portland, and how big of a victory this was.
LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy misplayed two balls in a span of two minutes that allowed the Timbers to strike first.
In the 28th minute, Larrys Mabiala had his biggest moment of the season with a headed goal off the corner kick.
In the 53rd minute, Claudio Bravo finished one of the best-worked goals of the season for the Timbers.
The home side were absolutely dominant in the second half and could have scored even more.
But Portland’s backline was the key. Defenders scored both of the goals and kept the clean sheet.
“I was really pleased with the performance from the start of the game all the way to the end. It was really a complete game for us,” Joseph said. “We even came in at half time and spoke a little bit about some adjust[ments] and showed a little bit of video again, and we came out an scored a goal in that exact way. It was pretty impressive.”
No Župerman? No Problem!
Larrys Mabiala filled in for Župarić and Araujo in both of their absences. Did he deliver? Absolutely.
His first half goal set the tone for the Portland Timbers.
Mabiala led the team in shots and shots on goal and was third on the team in possession won.
“The back line was shorthanded, but those are the same guys that are going out every day on the training ground,” Mabiala said. “We know what we have to do; the instructions are very clear from the coaching staff, and we all try to make a positive point. We are trying to show the coaching staff and everyone that the guys that are not playing that much, we can have a chance, and they can count on us whenever they need us. […] It doesn’t matter who’s playing just as long as we’re all targeting the same thing, which is getting the wins on the weekend to qualify for playoffs.”
His partnership with Zac McGraw and with fullbacks Eric Miller and Claudio Bravo helped preserve a rare shutout for the team.
Bravo, in particular, was brilliant. It doesn’t get much tougher than Carlos Vela as a defensive assignment, but Bravo met the challenge head-on. He also led the team in tackles, tackles won, possession won, shots on target, and tied for one goal.
Offense! Attack!
Joseph has led a resurgence for the Timbers in the attack.
In his four games at the helm, they have scored two goals in each.
fourth game of coach Miles Joseph, fourth game in which the Timbers have scored twice #RCTID
— Jeremy Peterman (@SportsGuyJeremy) September 10, 2023
Joseph said scoring was something Portland has been focused on in the postgame presser.
If he can somehow lead the team into the top nine of the table, does the interim title get removed for a permanent one?
Don’t say it
Could this Portland Timbers side really make a late season push? Joseph and the team are giving themselves a chance and making things very interesting.
McGraw put everything in perspective.
“It’s known to everyone we haven’t won two games in a row yet this season all year,” he said. “We need to build off this. Obviously, last year we went on a similar run winning games at the end, but it came down to decision day, and ultimately, we didn’t make the playoffs.
“All we can do is really go into Austin, which is not an easy place to play by any means, and push for three points,” McGraw said. “LAFC is a great team; they’re defending MLS champions, and it’s a big morale booster for the team.”
Matthew Wolfe
