MLS football side LAFC (Los Angeles FC) are through to the round of 16 in the US Open Cup after they saw off fellow MLS football team Portland Timbers in the round of 32. LAFC beat fellow MLS football outfit Portland Timbers 2-0 at home to their last 32 tie to advance into the last 16 stage of the competition.
Cristian Arango and Mamadou Fall were on the scoresheet for LAFC as they progressed to the next stage of the US Open Cup. Portland Timbers rotated their team for the LAFC game with Nathan Fogaca handed his debut for the game, while Timbers II loaneeVictor Griffith also made the starting XI. MLS football side Portland Timbers signed Fogaca one week ago, while Griffith is on loan at Portland Timbers from Portland Timbers II.
Portland Timbers spent the first half hour of the game on the back foot in a low block as they tried to absorb the pressure from their hosts who tried to break them down. They kept LAFC at bay until two minutes after the half hour mark when Cristian Arango scored off a set piece opportunity. Arango scored the first goal of the match after beating David Bingham in the Portland Timbers goal at the near post. His goal was the difference between hosts LAFC and Portland Timbers.
In the second half, Timbers were more expansive than the first half in their quest to get back in the game. However, they were undone by the second LAFC goal from Mamadou Fall after the failed to clear their lines from a corner kick. Regular Portland Timbers starters came into the game in the second half, but it was too little too late as the damage has been done.
The goals from Arango and Fall proved enough to send their team to the US Open Cup round of 16.