LA Galaxy net season-high four goals in rout over Timbers

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:05 am

Rayan Raveloson's acrobatic bicycle-kick goal in the first half highlighted a four-goal explosion for the host Los Angeles Galaxy in their 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers Friday night in Carson, Calif.

The Galaxy (9-6-1, 28 points) ended a three-game winless streak in impressive fashion. Despite being outplayed for much of the first half, they were able to turn on the offense against a Portland defensive effort that lacked a lot of quality.

The Timbers (6-8-1, 19 points) are 1-6-1 on the road this season, and for the fourth time away from home this season lost a game by more than two goals.

Raveloson's wowing goal off a corner kick got the offense started for the Galaxy. He and his teammates celebrated it by holding aloft jerseys of midfielder Jonathan dos Santos and his late father Zizinho, who passed away this week, in tribute.

Jeremy Ebobisse answered just 82 seconds later in the 29th minute, as Portland was able to put away one of numerous early chances.

LA Galaxy celebrate Samuel Grandsir's goal.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Timbers had a chance to go ahead moments later, but Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond stopped a shot from Ebobisse.

Victor Vazquez scored on a header in the 34th minute, and Sacha Kljestan put away a penalty kick after Timbers goalie Steve Clark was called for a foul in the box on hard contact with the Galaxy's Kevin Cabral.

Samuel Grandsir's goal off a pass from Julian Araujo, his second assist of the night, completed the scoring.

Cabral had a chance to give the Galaxy a four-goal lead but was too casual with a tap-in in the 78th minute. Cabral and Raveloson combined for 10 shots for the match.

The Galaxy won despite not having regulars Javier Hernandez and Sebastian Lletget, Hernandez and his 10 goals were out due to injury and Lletget with the U.S. team at the Gold Cup.