Three Portland Timbers goals. Three different stories. Timbers Liam Ridgewell, Diego Valeri and Alvas Powell all found the back of the net in Portland’s 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy Sunday at Providence Park. Each strike involved individual moments of skill but each also had special meaning for all three players.
Liam Ridgewell
Ridgewell got things going early for Portland when he headed home an expertly taken corner kick from David Guzmán in the fifth minute. Guzmán got the assist on the goal—his sixth of the year, second best on the team—but the goal was Ridgewell’s second of the year and his first in his first game back following a long injury recovery.
The goal was also notable due to the presence of Ridgewell’s family in attendance on a visit from England who were able to see the defender's patented Ridgy Roll celebration.
“It was a great start to start out on the right foot like we wanted to certainly at home and we just built on from there, really.
"It was a big thing. My boy said just before I went out to go and score a goal. So did my mum so hopefully, they can stay a little bit more and keep saying it. It was obviously special, them seeing it close up and personal, so it was a nice treat.
"I think that’s the first time they’ve got to see it in person because I don’t think I’ve scored any other time that they’ve been here so it was a big moment for me.”
Diego Valeri
With the score tied at 1-1, Valeri put the Timbers ahead with another of his wonderstrikes. After snagging the ball in the air on a pass forward from Roy Miller, Valeri pirouetted and then nailed a golazo from distance.
It was the midfielder’s team-leading 12th of the year.
On another level. @DiegoDv8 puts Portland up 2-1 at Providence Park. #PORvLAhttps://t.co/OZhWAWDIfB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 6, 2017
“It was a good build up. I got the ball and it was a good ball. I just controlled it in a good way and then faking the center back just tried to put it in the net. I was a little bit lucky. Sometimes the ball goes into the crowd.
"You’re happy because you’re helping the team. It was a tight moment in the game and it’s always nice to score a good goal, a nice goal. When you execute what you’re thinking, it’s always nice.
"It was very important. We needed the points at home. I’m very happy about the performance of the team. The third goal was a great goal from Alvas and I’m happy about the team.”
Alvas Powell
Speaking of that third goal, Powell helped seal the win with a strike in the 53rd minute. Forward Fanendo Adi dribbled the ball into the box as Powell trailed behind to his left. Adi deftly backheeled the ball to Powell, who then tucked his hard-angled shot just inside the far post for his first goal in 2017 and his first tally since 2014.
Adi backheel ➡️ Powell goal#PORvLApic.twitter.com/9Vuh6EpZ2r
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 6, 2017
“It was a great feeling. I never knew how it was going to go in, I just shut my eyes and shot it and it just ended up in the goal. So, it was a great feeling and I’m excited so I’m enjoying the moment."
[Did Adi see me?] "I don’t know, I yelled at him and I got the ball, so thanks to Adi.”
