Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) moves the ball past Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco (10) during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Brian Rodríguez (17) dribbles the ball during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango (9) kicks the ball toward the net during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A young Los Angeles FC looks on prior to the start of an MLS season match between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango (9) vies for the ball againt Portland Timbers midfielder George Fochive (20) during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC hold up a banner for Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango, not pictured, during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo looks on during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Rapper B-Real walks the sidelines prior to the start of an MLS season match between the Los Angeles FC and the Portland Timbers at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango (9) and teammate defender Mamadou Fall (5) vie for the ball against Portland Timbers defender Jose Van Rankin (2) during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall (5) runs to fans after scoring a goal against the Portland Timbers during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall (5), who scored the tying goal, looks to pass against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall (5) looks back for confirmation of his goal against the Portland Timbers during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku (22) moves the ball past Portland Timbers defender Claudio Bravo (5) during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo Opoku (22) dribbles the ball upfield during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez (6) dribbles the ball upfield during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) kicks the ball during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC fans react after their team scores a tying goal during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Brian Rodríguez, center, dribbles the ball between defenders during the second half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Los Angeles FC played the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall (5) headers the ball against the Portland Timbers defender during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall (5) headers the ball in a goal attempt against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios (12) takes the ball from Portland Timbers defender Jose Van Rankin (2) during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango (9) winds up for a kick against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Brian Rodríguez (17) dribbles the ball against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) kicks the ball upfield against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) gets past Portland Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno (30) during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Arango, center, battles for the ball against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Brian Rodríguez (17) takes on Portland Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno (30) during the first half of an MLS season match at Banc of California in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 6, 2022. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Football Club and the Portland Timbers once again went to the wire in the latest chapter of their charged west coast Major League Soccer rivalry.
A stoppage time goal by defender Mamadou Fall salvaged a point for LAFC, leaving the two sides to settle on 1-1 draw Sunday evening at Banc of California Stadium.
Seven yellow cards, including two on Portland defender Claudio Bravo that resulted in a red card around the hour mark, typified the intensity of the match and their all-time head-to-head series.
“We have to be happy with a draw tonight,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “It could have been two [goals]. We could have lost. These games are always very tight against Portland.
“Our group showed good spirit. Showed they’re a team. Showed they have fight and don’t like to lose. That I was very happy with.”
LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau didn’t have to make a save until the 76th minute during last week’s 3-0 season opening win against the Colorado Rapids.
Portland, on the other hand, refused to allow LAFC (1-0-1, 4 points) to settle in and tested their backline from the outset as they kept the Black & Gold winless against them for the sixth consecutive regular season contest.
Crepeau saved his first shot five minutes into the match. He stopped another at the 12-minute mark — moments before outside back Franco Escobar was subbed off with a calf issue.
The Timbers (0-0-2, 2 points) continued to push as LAFC established a workable defensive shape without getting stretched.
In the 18th minute the visitor’s work paid off when a blocked shot in the box floated softly toward Yimmi Chara. The Portland midfielder fell backwards and hit a right-footed bicycle kick that beat the outstretched Crepeau for the Colombian’s second goal of the season.
From the 25th minute on, LAFC outshot the Timbers 25-2.
The Black & Gold pressed for an equalizer before halftime, mostly by firing crosses into the Timbers’ box and working through captain Carlos Vela.
Portland nearly conceded an own goal when a pass into the box from midfielder Kellyn Acosta bounced off Portland’s Claudio Bravo and hit the post.
All told, LAFC out-crossed Portland 30-1, yet Cherundolo instructed his team to find other ways to create chances inside the Timbers’ box.
In doing so, they could not rely on Vela, whose night ended after the first half when Ghanian forward Mahala Opoku replaced him for what Cherundolo qualified as “precautionary reasons.”
Shortly after Portland went down to 10 men in the 62nd minute, Cherundolo also took off defender Diego Palacios for midfielder Latif Blessing.
The Ghanian’s effervescence lifted his teammates and over the final half hour he repeatedly provided them with opportunities.
Everyone who came in off the bench did “excellent work and proved to be the deciding factor,” Cherundolo said.
With Vela on the bench, fellow designated player Brian Rodriguez asserted himself as a focal point in the attack and provided the announced crowd of 22,102 moments of hope through the final whistle.
“It was my turn to step up, especially since Carlos came off,” Rodriguez said. “Carlos does leave a big gap on the field, however we have players who can come in and supplement and step up. That’s an important thing.”
Starting alongside Vela and Colombian center forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango, the 21-year-old Uruguyan’s darting runs into the box endangered Timbers goalkeeper Alja Ivacic, who made five saves on the night.
“In those situations you need special players making special plays,” Cherundolo said. “I thought [Rodriguez] was very good again tonight.”
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Upon receiving the ball from Blessing in the 93rd minute, Rodriguez drove toward the endline and served a low cross that found Fall standing alone in front of the net for the tap-in tying goal.
“Tonight was a group effort,” Rodriguez said. “The fighting spirit gave us a draw. We shouldn’t suffer as much as we did today, especially at home, especially since they were a man down. But we’ll continue to improve.”
Knowing how well Rodriguez handles defenders in one-versus-one situations, the 19-year-old Senagalese center back, ran toward the Portland net and secured his fifth career MLS goal.
“We’ve been working the whole preseason and I’ve been improving a lot to try and help my team,” Fall said. “It’s always great to score but it was the work of the team. Everyone got involved. They were cooking and served me a plate. I’ve got to eat dinner.”
