Portland extend unbeaten run to 12 games in goalless draw at LAFC

The Portland Timbers extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches by earning a 0-0 draw at LAFC at Banc of California Stadium Sunday.

Portland (has eight wins and four ties in its last dozen games, while LAFC improved to 5-0-4 at home in its first season and has four wins and two ties in the past six games.

LAFC midfielder Lee Nguyen was shown a red card in the 84th minute for his high-footed challenge that struck Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco in the leg.

Four minutes later, LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller went to the ground to stuff a dribbling Diego Valeri. Miller made six saves for his sixth shutout of the season.

Portland's Jeff Attinella earned his fifth clean sheet with six saves, including one on a snap header by Carlos Vela in the 93rd minute.

The Timbers missed an opportunity for the opening score in the 5th minute when Miller stopped Valeri, who had stripped Benny Feilhaber for the breakaway.

In the 31st minute, Adama Diomande missed giving LAFC the lead. He took a scooped pass from Joao Moutinho over his shoulder and one-touched a shot to the right post, but Attinella was there to make the save.

Portland was inches from scoring early in the second half only to see a strike from Samuel Armenteros hit the post.

The teams played the first of two matches against each other in a span of four days at Banc of California Stadium. They meet Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match.

Portland returns to MLS play Saturday vs. the Montreal Impact. Timbers midfielder Diego Chara will miss the game because of yellow-card accumulation after receiving a caution in the first half.

LAFC plays at Minnesota on July 22.