The Portland Timbers will return to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal round for the second year in a row, after defeating the LA Galaxy 4-0 in the Round of 16 on Wednesday at Providence Park.
Both teams opted to give reserves some playing time, with league games coming up on Saturday. But Portland picked something closer to a first-choice lineup, while LA featured nearly a completely new XI from their usual set-up.
The Timbers took the lead midway through the first half, as Brian Fernandez's header off a free kick was nudged into the net for an own goal by Perry Kitchen. Fernandez then got on the board himself six minutes later, cleaning up a poor clearance on the doorstep. Sebastian Blanco joined in the goals parade, launching a rocket from downtown just three minutes later.
Defender Jorge Moreira put a capper on the night for the home side, as he scored late to put the game well out of reach. The Galaxy had two very close subsequent scoring chances, but nothing doing for Guillermo Barros Schelotto's group.
Goals
- 28' – POR – Perry Kitchen (OG) | WATCH
- 34' – POR – Brian Fernandez | WATCH
- 37' – POR – Sebastian Blanco | WATCH
- 82' – POR – Jorge Moreira | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: On paper, the Timbers looked like the stronger side coming in, and so it proved. While the competition is bound to get tougher, there's a feeling that they could make a very deep run this Open Cup. LA, meanwhile, gave many reserves and youngsters minutes, but it was a tough night for the visiting side missing so much of their full-strength lineup.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It came during the blitz of goals in the first half, but Blanco's golazo was a beauty to savor.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Fernandez set up an own goal, had an assist and yes, scored a goal of his own, too, in the rout. The man now has seven goals in five games for Portland across all competitions, and looks like he's practically unstoppable.
Next Up
- POR: Saturday, June 22 vs. Houston Dynamo (11 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+; DAZN in Canada)
- LA: Saturday, June 22 at FC Cincinnati (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+; DAZN in Canada)
