Portland Timbers x LAFC
A Thrilling 3-3 Draw Between Portland Timbers and LAFC: Drama Until the Very End
In a match that will be remembered for its intensity, flair, and last-minute drama, the Portland Timbers and LAFC played to a heart-stopping 3-3 draw at Providence Park on April 19, 2025. Both teams brought their best, delivering a spectacle full of goals, tense moments, and big performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The game kicked off with immediate intensity as the Timbers took control early on. Felipe Mora, a key figure for Portland all season, gave his team the lead with a well-taken penalty in the 23rd minute, confidently putting the ball past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. The home crowd roared in approval, sensing an early advantage that could set the tone for the rest of the match. However, LAFC wasn’t about to be outdone. In the 35th minute, the debutant Olivier Giroud stepped up to make his MLS mark in dramatic fashion. The French striker, known for his precise finishing and technique, curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner of the net, leveling the game at 1-1. It was a moment of class that showed just why LAFC had invested in him, and it was clear that the game would be far from over.
The second half was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. Portland managed to regain the lead in the 57th minute, with Mora finding the back of the net again, completing his brace and giving his team a 2-1 advantage. Portland’s attack was clicking, and they looked poised to make it two wins from two at home. But LAFC, as always, had more fight in them. In the 72nd minute, Denis Bouanga became the hero, converting a penalty with perfect precision after a foul inside the box. That goal made it 2-2, and the energy in the stadium shifted once again, with both teams pushing for the win.
As the match wore on, the intensity only ramped up. In a dramatic turn of events, Portland’s Diego Chará received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 76th minute, leaving the Timbers down to 10 men for the remainder of the match. With a numerical advantage, LAFC began to apply relentless pressure, knowing that this was their opportunity to claim all three points. As the match entered stoppage time, it was clear that neither team was ready to settle for a draw. Bouanga, who had been the catalyst for LAFC’s comeback, stepped up again in the dying moments. He calmly slotted home a second penalty in the 92nd minute to complete his brace, and with it, LAFC snatched a dramatic 3-2 lead.
However, the drama wasn’t over just yet. Portland wasn’t done. In the final moments, the Timbers fought back once again and equalized in the 95th minute, with Santiago Moreno capitalizing on a defensive mishap to score. The whistle blew, and both teams shared the points, each feeling they had a legitimate case for a win after a thrilling 3-3 stalemate.
For the Timbers, it was a night of mixed emotions. Despite Mora’s stellar performance and their ability to bounce back from LAFC’s goals, Portland will be disappointed by the red card and their inability to close out the match with a full squad. Meanwhile, LAFC can take pride in their resilience and attacking prowess, with Bouanga continuing to prove his importance as a game-changer.
In the end, this draw was a showcase of the unpredictable nature of MLS, with two teams laying it all on the line. The Portland Timbers will look to bounce back from this rollercoaster ride, while LAFC will be thrilled to have fought for and earned a point in a thrilling encounter. This match was one for the ages, and it’s clear that both teams will be contenders for the top spots as the season progresses.
[Photography by ICONIC photographer Hector Ramirez]
