LAFC2 extended its unbeaten run to three matches on Saturday, playing Timbers2 to a scoreless draw at Providence Park before falling 8-7 in the postgame penalty shootout.
The Black & Gold created several opportunities in the opening half, with Eduardo Villeda and Ernesto Rodriguez forcing saves from Portland goalkeeper Sam Joseph. Rodriguez came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute when his effort from the center of the box
struck the crossbar.
LAFC2 continued to threaten after the break. Nathan Mardaresco and Charlie Kosakoff each tested Joseph, while Rodriguez forced another save in the 69th minute. LAFC2 goalkeeper Mark Gamez kept Timbers2 off the scoresheet with two saves as the match remained scoreless through 90 minutes.
In the shootout, DeCarlo Guerra, Charlie Kosakoff, Érick Díaz, Joshua Santiago, Skylar Kaplan, Liam Lambert, and Nathan Mardaresco all converted for LAFC2, while Gamez saved Timbers2’s opening attempt. The shootout went nine rounds before Timbers2 prevailed 8-7 to claim the extra point.
LAFC2 finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots and put six attempts on target to Portland’s two.
The result moved LAFC2 to 35 points through 21 matches, leaving the club in sixth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings with an 8W-5L-8D record.
LAFC2 returns to action on Sunday, August 16, when the club hosts Tacoma Defiance at Titan Stadium in Fullerton. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the match will be available on MLSNEXTPro.com.
