\n David Da Costa scores for second straight match, James Pantemis makes 10 saves<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES \u2013 David Da Costa<\/a> scored off a pass from Kristoffer Velde<\/a> early and the Portland Timbers fought to a 1-1 draw on the road with Los Angeles FC Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.<\/p>\n The Timbers defense faced 34 shots, blocking 11 with goalkeeper James Pantemis<\/a> making 10 saves.<\/p>\n \n Goal-Scoring Plays<\/strong><\/p>\n POR \u2013 David Da Costa (Kristoffer Velde), 4th minute:<\/strong> Following an interception in his own half, Kristoffer Velde dribbled up the left wing and cut inside towards the top of the box, laying off a pass to an on-running David Da Costa. Da Costa took a first-time left-footed shot from outside the six-yard box to beat the goalkeeper at the lower near post.<\/p>\n LAFC \u2013 Denis Bouanga (Jude Terry, Aaron Long), 79th minute:<\/strong> Denis Bouanga dribbled up the edge of the box on the left side and netted a right-footed shot through traffic to the far side.<\/p>\n \n Tonight\u2019s Performers<\/strong><\/p>\n Kristoffer Velde assisted David Da Costa in Portland\u2019s opening goal, both earning goal contributions in a second straight match. With his strike, Da Costa reached three goals and 10 total goal contributions on the season. It marks Da Costa\u2019s third back-to-back goal contribution performance of 2026. With the buildup play, Velde became the outright club leader in assists (nine) and goal contributions (14) this year. Notably, Velde\u2019s performance tonight marked a goal involvement in five of his last six MLS appearances (1G, 6A) and has been directly involved in Portland\u2019s last four goals scored (1G, 3A). The 26-year-old is currently tied for fourth-most assists in all of MLS. James Pantemis recorded his second-most saves in a match for Portland this season, ending the night with 10 stops after recording five saves in each half.<\/p>\n \n Mart\u00ed Cifuentes: “Overall, I think it’s a valuable point”<\/p>\n \n Notes<\/p>\n \n Next Game<\/p>\n\n