Timbers outlast Galaxy as Chicharito rues missed opportunities

The Portland Timbers scored two goals in a seven-minute second-half spell to top the LA Galaxy 2-1 on Monday night at the MLS is Back Tournament.

Sebastian Blanco's enterprising efforts played a factor in both Portland goals as the Timbers claim top spot in Group F after quartet mates Los Angeles FC and Houston Dynamo shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw earlier in the evening.

Jeremy Ebobisse opened the scoring moments before the hour mark when Blanco's cutback from the endline found the forward lurking in the goalmouth for a straightforward tap-in.

Blanco doubled that advantage seven minutes later when a combination of the Argentine's industry and some ghastly defending from the Galaxy afforded the Portland winger a close-range strike that David Bingham could do little to stop.

It was a night of missed opportunities for Galaxy star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.

Chicharito looked set to open his Galaxy account in the 13th minute from the penalty spot only for Timbers 'keeper Steve Clark to deny the Mexican international and Sacha Kljestan's attempt on the rebound.

Chicharito was again in a prime position to score minutes after the interval when the 32-year-old's unmarked strike from near the penalty spot flew yards above Portland's bar.

Moments later, Emiliano Insua found Chicharito with a probing cross from a wide position, but the veteran striker's header glanced off the top of the bar and out of play.

Portland went down to 10 men with 15 minutes remaining when Croatian central defender Dario Zuparic was shown a second yellow card for fouling Galaxy star Cristian Pavon on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Chicharito would get his goal amid the Galaxy's best passage of play in the 87th minute, as the striker tapped in Gordon Wild's pinpoint pass from short range.