Timbers, Galaxy play to scoreless draw
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Timbers goalkeeper David Bingham made four saves before he was hurt in stoppage time and Portland played to a 0-0 draw with the LA Galaxy on Saturday.
The Galaxy haven't won yet in four matches this season, but they have three consecutive ties.
Portland, coming off a 5-1 loss at Atlanta last weekend, has allowed 10 goals this season, most in the league. The Timbers defeated Sporting Kansas City in their season opener, but haven’t won since.
Bingham came out of his goal in stoppage time because of a Galaxy player making a run at the goal and appeared to hurt his hamstring on a slide. Portland was out of substitutes at that point so defender Justin Rasmussen donned a yellow jersey and gloves for the final moments after Bingham was helped off the field.
The Galaxy were playing without Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who has a lingering hamstring injury, and Douglas Costa, who is nursing a calf injury.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said he feels confident that the results will come once the team gets some of that firepower back.
“I’m not overly concerned about it because I know what we’re capable of and I know where we will be once we fill out the roster," Vanney said. "I was pleased with the fact that we really controlled the majority of the game, in the way I would like us to control the majority of games. Now it comes to scoring the first goal and building upon that first goal.”
Preston Judd made his first MLS start for the Galaxy and nearly scored in the 14th minute, but his shot caromed off the post. Judd has played primarily with the Galaxy II team for the past two seasons.
Memo Rodriguez had another attempt for the Galaxy go off the post in the 57th minute. Goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann pounced on a shot from Portland's Jaroslaw Niezgoda in the 89th minute to preserve the draw.
“Really proud of all the guys for the fight we had today. It was a great team effort,” Klinsmann said. “I feel like we should have come away with three points but again, just really proud of what we did as a team, what we did as a group.”
With the draw, the Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak against the Timbers to five games.
“It was difficult,” Timbers midfielder Diego Chara said. “I think both teams were trying to find a way to score. I think LA kept the ball a little bit more. But at the end of the game, I think, created a few opportunities to score.”
Portland has been beset by injuries, including Brazilian Evander (hip), the team's big offseason acquisition, and playmaker Yimmi Chara (right hamstring). Juan David Mosquera was with the Colombian national team this weekend.
Portland had scored in each of the last 18 games (all competitions) against the Galaxy, longest streak of any club against the Galaxy.
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