LA Galaxy earned the three points with a commanding 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park, in Portland, OR. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández hit early in the 7th minute, completing a cross from Samuel Grandsir. The French midfielder would repeat the cross in an almost identical play, running past Portland Timbers defender Pablo Bonilla, his cross would be deflected by an unfortunate Bill Tuiloma, whose own goal, got the Timbers behind the scoreboard by two in just eight minutes later.
The match was intense and chippy, and the work of referee Nima Saghafi was questioned from the stands almost all match. The players didn’t give the referee an easy task, and the referee did not make himself many favors either. The run of play was constantly interrupted by fouls that yielded countless yellow cards and two reds with the first one in minute 45 on Pablo Bonilla for the Portland Timbers. LA’s Marco Delgado would see his second yellow in minute 61 in the second half.
The ten-man Portland Timbers attempted the reaction with a superb free kick by Bill Tuiloma in minute 51, but LA Galaxy put the game away eight minutes later again by action of their star forward Chicharito.
