LAFC 1-1 PORTLAND TIMBERS
Aug 22, 2026
Att.: 22,246 • BMO Stadium
LOS ANGELES — Portland came out swinging and LAFC didn't have an answer early, but the Black & Gold found a way to salvage a point Saturday night at BMO Stadium. The two Western Conference rivals split the spoils in a 1–1 draw on August 22, 2026.
The Timbers wasted no time. David Da Costa struck in the 4th minute to put Portland up 1–0 before LAFC could even settle in. The early deficit put Los Angeles on the back foot, and Portland was content to sit deep and defend for long stretches, holding out through the first half and well into the second.
LAFC held the ball and kept pressing. 12 corner kicks and relentless pressure from Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga up top, but Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis was sharp, turning away five shots and keeping the Timbers in front. A yellow-red card for Portland in the 89th minute added late drama, but by then the damage was done on both ends.
The stats told the story of a game LAFC controlled without being able to break through. Los Angeles outshot Portland 15 to 6, held 59 percent of the ball, and generated a dozen corners. The Timbers managed zero corner kicks all match and spent the majority of the game defending their own box. It was the kind of performance that deserved more than a draw, but credit to Portland for staying organized and making LAFC work for every inch.
Bouanga finally broke through in the 79th minute, curling home the equalizer to earn LAFC a point they'll take after falling behind so early. Portland held firm for 75 minutes but couldn't keep the door shut in the end.
- Raymond Flores
