LAFC 3, Portland Timbers 2 | US Open Cup 2018 Match Recap

LAFC continued their impressive run in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in their debut season, as they defeated the Portland Timbers 3-2 at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday night in the quarterfinal round.

While the opening 30 minutes were goalless, the teams really made up for lost time after that. David Guzman opened the scoring for the other team, off an LAFC free kick routine, in the 33rd minute, before Carlos Vela scored five minutes later.

Portland found a foothold in the game in first-half stoppage time, with Julio Cascante heading in a Guzman free kick. While LAFC extended their lead just after the break with Marco Ureña’s first career LAFC goal, Vytas scored less than a minute later to again narrow the home side’s advantage. But LAFC held on through the final 38 minutes to win and advance in the Open Cup.

Goals

• 33' – LAFC – David Guzman (OG) | WATCH
• 38' – LAFC – Carlos Vela | WATCH
• 45+2' – POR – Julio Cascante | WATCH
• 51' – LAFC – Marco Ureña | WATCH
• 52' – POR – Vytas Andriuskevicius | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: Reaching the final four is always impressive in the Open Cup, all the more so for LAFC in their debut season. Their quest for silverware is still alive. Portland's unbeaten streak across all competitions is snapped at 14, although they are still cruising in league play.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Ureña has been a forward who has provided everything except goals this season for LAFC. Scoring his first, what turned out to be the winner, was likely a just reward.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Vela set up the own goal and scored another goal to keep the pressure on the Timbers, and he gets the nod in his first career U.S. Open Cup game.

Next Up

• LAFC: Sunday, July 22 at Minnesota United (7 pm ET | TSN - Full TV & Streaming Info)
• POR: Saturday, July 21 vs. Montreal Impact (11 pm ET | TVAS - Full TV & Streaming Info)