PORTLAND -- The champions are on the board, at last.
After losing their first three MLS matches, the LA Galaxy finally picked up a point with a 1-1 away draw against the Portland Timbers on Sunday, March 16. Even more importantly, they built upon a good midweek performance in the Champions Cup to keep momentum going as they attempt to right their campaign.
With the tie, the Galaxy avoids tying their worst start in club history, losing four matches straight.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney will have been encouraged by the improved play over the last week, which has seen LA progress to the CCC Quarterfinals and finally get a league result.
“We were structurally more stable. Guys were in good spots. The ball was moving a little bit smoother and freer amongst us, a little bit quicker, and we were just more efficient about how we were playing the game,” Vanney said in a post-match press conference.
“And as such, we dominated the ball. We played most of the game in their half the field. The second half, we had some good looks.”
Apart from the tie, the Galaxy can also celebrate getting players back from injury. Miki Yamane returned from a hamstring problem, while new signing Matheus Nascimento made his debut for the Galaxy.
+1 in Portland 💫 pic.twitter.com/ZvswK0PYO8
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 16, 2025
Slowly Coming Together
The Galaxy picked up where they left off on Wednesday by putting together a spirited performance that relied on quick combination play. The energy they showed against Herediano, was back on display vs. the Timbers. It allowed LA to unsettle Portland and get into the hosts’ final third repeatedly.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, the one thing missing from the opening frame was a goal. And since the goals you don’t score, are scored on you, Portland was first to strike.
LA fell behind just after halftime off a recycled Portland set piece, with Winger Santiago Moreno getting to the endline and serving up Felipe Mora for a tap-in and the game’s first goal.
From there, however, the Galaxy were the aggressor.
In the second half, LA dominated possession, created more shots and big chances, and set up camp in the Portland half. Another fine game from Isaiah Parente ensured that the ball was moved effectively, and LA was progressive in its possession against the hosts.
Gabriel Pec was also one of the catalysts. Even though the Brazilian didn’t score from one of his six shots in the match, the threat he posed opened space for his teammates to work in.
The left side of the pitch for the Galaxy also caused problems for Portland. Tucker Lepley, Julian Aude, and Diego Fagundez combined well for a second straight game, with Lepley testing Portland Goalkeeper James Pantemis from distance.
The Galaxy’s insistence and patience finally paid off in the 81st minute.
Photo Credit: LA Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy players celebrate tying the score against the Portland Timbers in their 1-1 draw away on March 16, 2025
Making just his second start this season, Zanka played a lofted ball over the top of the Portland defense for Christian Ramirez. Ramirez expertly brought the ball down with his shoulder, let it bounce once to control the ball and steady himself, and hit a right-footed shot that beat Pantemis at his near post.
“Obviously we tried a few different things, and sometimes when you get the ball, you kind of just know that this is what you're going to do. So when I looked up and Maya was passing the ball. I kind of could see out of my eye, the Christian was in a good position,” Zanka said of the play that brought him an assist and the Galaxy the draw.
The defender shared that the play was somewhat hopeful, “I thought, You know what? Let me just, you know, screw it. 17 is down there somewhere, and just hanging out there and try to see if he could go up and get it. So, you know, he [Ramirez] finished it great.”
It is Ramirez’s first MLS goal for the Galaxy and his second in as many games. He is slowly starting to display the qualities the champions signed him for.
"It was a very similar clip that we saw on film from an opportunity that they [Portland] gave up last week. So when I saw that Nasci [Matheus Nascimento] was coming underneath and Zanka was winding up, I took a chance. And yeah, it was a great ball and was able to provide a goal today for the team; and just glad we got on the board in MLS play with a point, and it will only continue to help us build," Ramirez explained of the play.
The California native’s goal ensures that the Galaxy is winless no longer. But, LA is still at the bottom of the Western Conference table.
They’ll have a chance to gain further ground in the league standings on Saturday, March 22, when they take to the road again to face fifth-place Minnesota United.