PORTLAND, Ore. – The LA Galaxy Reserves made two, first-half goals stand against the Portland Timbers Reserves for a 2-1 win in MLS Reserve League play at JELD-WEN field before 6,118 fans on Saturday.
Kyle Nakazawa recorded two assists for the Galaxy Reserves (2-1-1, 7pts) as both of his set-piece crosses were turned home, first by Leonardo in the third minute and then by Chad Barrett in the 30th.
Match Highlights: Timbers Reserves vs. LA Reserves
Eric Alexander pulled a goal back for the Timbers Reserves (2-3-0, 6pts) in the 69th minute, converting a penalty kick opportunity won by Brent Richards.
A Portland foul on Barrett 35 yards from goal led to the Galaxy Reserves’ opening goal in the third minute. Nakazawa’s resulting free kick from the right wing was volleyed into the net at the far post by Galaxy center back Leonardo.
The Galaxy Reserves made it 2-0 after Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens was taken down just outside the right-hand side of the Portland penalty area. Nakazawa stepped up again and served the ball to the far post where it was nodded back across goal by forward Jack McBean to a lurking Barrett, who finished with a clinical header in the 30th minute.
The second half turned physical, with Portland’s Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Charles Renken as well as LA’s Bryan Jordan picking up yellow cards as the Timbers Reserves pushed back into the match.
In the 67th minute, Richards was fouled trying to get a shot away inside the Galaxy Reserves’ goal box. Alexander sent Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders the wrong way on the ensuing penalty kick to bring the Timbers Reserves within a goal at 2-1, but LA was able to survive Portland’s late push for an equalizer.
In the eighth minute, Leonardo was injured on a play inside the Galaxy Reserves’ penalty area while contesting a shot by Timbers midfielder Freddie Braun. He was replaced by Sebastian Velazquez.
The Timbers Reserves take to the road for their next MLS Reserve League match when they visit the Chivas USA Reserves on Monday, June 18 at The Home Depot Center; kick-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. The LA Galaxy reserves continue a five-game road swing on Tuesday, June 12 when they head to Vancouver to tackle the Whitecaps FC Reserves at the University of British Columbia.
LA Galaxy Reserves (2-1-1, 7pts) at Portland Timbers Reserves (2-3-0, 6pts)
MLS Reserve League: June 2, 2012 – JELD-WEN Field, Portland, Ore.
Scoring Summary
LA: Leonardo (Nakazawa), 3
LA: Barrett (McBean, Nakazawa), 30
POR: Alexander (penalty kick), 69
Misconduct Summary
POR: Jean-Baptiste (caution), 52
LA: Jordan (caution), 56
POR: Renken (caution), 86
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Bendik ©; D Vickers#, D Kawulok, D Jean-Baptiste, D Taylor, M Renken (Macchione^, 88), M Braun, M Alexander, M Richards, F Rincón, F Fucito (Hasson, 65)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Rowe, Duenas^, Gyu-Won
TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4
LA: GK Saunders; D Meyer, D Loenardo (Rodriguez^, 10), D Lopes, D Jordan, M Garcia, M Walker, M Nakazawa, M Stephens, F McBean (Velasquez^, 70), F Barrett © (Villarreal, 84)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Perk, Torre^
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 1
^ indicates academy or pre-academy player
* indicates guest player/trialist
# indicates Timbers U-23s player
Referee: Paul Nothman
Assistant Referees: Farhad Dadkho, Oscar Rivas
4th Official: Cesar Tercero
Attendance: 6,118
Weather: Cloudy, 60 degrees
