LAFC’s Impressive Shutout Streak Comes to an End Against Portland
In a thrilling match on Saturday, Kevin Kelsy netted his first goal of the season during the sixth minute of stoppage time, propelling the Portland Timbers to a 2-1 victory over LAFC. This win not only breaks a five-game winless streak for the Timbers but also marks LAFC’s first loss of the season.
LAFC (5-1-1) saw its franchise-record shutout streak of 571 minutes come to an end. The team had previously set this record in 2024, surpassing the former mark of 550 minutes.
The Timbers (2-4-1) celebrated their first win since a 3-2 victory over Columbus in their season opener. Brandon Bye played a pivotal role, delivering an arcing ball to Kristoffer Velde at the back post. Velde’s centering header allowed Kelsy to tap in the decisive goal into an open net.
Velde also made a significant impact earlier in the game, scoring his third goal in four matches in the 32nd minute. The goal, which marked the first time LAFC had conceded this season, came from a counter-attack where Velde fired a shot from the right edge of the penalty area that found the back post.
Despite missing key players like forward Son Heung-min and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who were rested for this match, LAFC found a response when 17-year-old Jude Terry scored his first MLS goal in the 49th minute. After Matthew Evans set him up with a backward pass at the edge of the penalty box, Terry unleashed a rising shot that bent around goalkeeper James Pantemis, equalizing the score at 1-1.
Adding to the excitement, Evans, who is also 19, made his MLS debut in this match. Late in the game, Ryan Porteous appeared to have secured a goal with a header in the 87th minute, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review ruled him offside.
In a challenging match for LAFC, goalkeeper Thomas Hasal made his first start of the season, but was forced to exit in the 30th minute following a collision with teammate Artem Smoliokav. Cabral Carter filled in for Hasal, marking his MLS debut, while Pantemis concluded the match with four saves.
