Johnson brace helps Reserves draw at Chivas USA

CARSON, Calif.– The Portland Timbers Reserves tied the Chivas USA Reserves 3-3 on Sunday morning during a Reserve League match that took place at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Forward Eddie Johnson scored twice for the Timbers Reserves (1-2-1) to give the visitors a 3-1 lead early in the second half. However, Chivas USA midfielder Mariano Trujillo contributed two key assists in the second half to earn a point for the home side.

Timbers midfielder Brian Umony added two assists while Freddie Braun scored his first goal of the season for Portland. Spencer Thompson and Chris Taylor both recorded their first assists in Reserve League play.

Even though Portland had very good opportunities early in the game, Chivas USA (1-2-2) took the lead in the 14th minute when Francisco Mendoza entered the box dribbling past a couple of defenders before passing the ball to Chris Cortez, who blasted a shot past Portland goalkeeper Adin Brown.

The Red-and-White played a man down from the 28th minute on, when Cortez was ejected during a play inside the box involving Portland defender Eric Brunner. Portland took advantage of the situation and scored two goals before the interval.

The Timbers tied the match when Thompson played a ball behind the Chivas USA backline and Johnson recorded his first goal of the day with a low shot past Zach Thornton at the 40th minute. Three minutes later, on a very similar play, Umony played the ball behind the Red-and-White defenders to Braun, who converted the Timbers’ second goal with another low shot past Thornton.

Chivas USA had two halftime substitutes with Bryan de la Fuente and Carlos Martinez going in for Ian Hines-Ike and Christopher Rodriguez, respectively, while Portland’s Darlington Nagbe substituted Brunner.

The visiting team scored their third goal barely two minutes into the second half when Umony found space on the right side of the field and crossed the ball to Johnson, who just had to tap the ball to the right post and beat Thornton for his second goal.

Chivas USA reacted and surprised Portland with two goals in a span of five minutes. Trujillo recorded two assists, one with a cross to Tristan Bowen at the 63rd minute that the Chivas USA forward headed into the net to cut the deficit to 3-2, and five minutes later when he made an excellent pass to Victor Estupiñán for the tying goal.

Chivas USA Reserves now has a record of 1-2-2 and will face the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves on July 26th at The Home Depot Center. The Timbers Reserves return to action on June 21st against the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves at JELD-WEN Field at 11 a.m.

Chivas USA (1-2-2) vs. Portland Timbers (1-2-1)
June 5, 2011– The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

Scoring Summary:
CHV - Chris Cortez (Francisco Mendoza) 14
POR - Eddie Johnson (Spencer Thompson, Chris Taylor) 40
POR - Freddie Braun (Brian Umony) 43
POR - Eddie Johnson (Brian Umony) 47
CHV - Tristan Bowen (Mariano Trujillo, Walter Restrepo) 63
CHV - Víctor Estupiñán (Mariano Trujillo) 68

Chivas USA: Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Miguel Sanchez, Ian Hines-Ike (Bryan de la Fuente 45), Seth Owusu, Christopher Rodriguez (Walter Restrepo 45), Gerson Mayén, Francisco Mendoza, Tristan Bowen (Carlos Martinez 69), Chris Cortez, Victor Estupiñán.

Substitutes Not Used: Sergio Arias, Pedro Velasquez

Portland Timbers: Adin Brown, Eric Brunner (Darlington Nagbe 45), Kevin Goldthwaite, Chris Taylor, Freddie Braun, James Marcelin (Jesus Gonzalez 83), Adam Moffat, Brian Umony, Rodrigo Lopez, Eddie Johnson (Bim Ogunyemi 80), Spencer Thompson.

Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Guppy

Misconduct Summary:
Cautions:
CHV - Francisco Mendoza (caution) 45
POR - Kevin Goldthwaite (caution) 49
CHV - Gerson Mayen (caution) 88

Ejections:
CHV - Chris Cortez 28

Referee: Kevin Sott
Referee’s Assistants: Apolo Mariscal, Eduardo Mariscal
4th Official: Rob Sarfarraz
Weather: Sunny and 75 degrees