LAFC returned to BMO Stadium on Saturday, August 22, looking to halt a two-match MLS losing streak, but the Portland Timbers made the task more difficult almost immediately. David Da Costa struck in the fourth minute to give Portland an early advantage before Denis Bouanga finally answered late in the second half, leaving the Western Conference rivals to share the points in a 1-1 draw.
Portland’s opener developed from a turnover near midfield, with Kristoffer Velde carrying the ball forward down the left before finding Da Costa making his run toward the penalty area. Da Costa met the pass with a first-time left-footed finish that beat Hugo Lloris at the near post. The goal was Da Costa’s second in as many matches and gave Portland an ideal start on the road.
LAFC responded with sustained pressure and quickly began creating opportunities around the Timbers’ penalty area. Bouanga, Mathieu Choinière and Yevhen Cheberko were among those who threatened as the hosts pushed Portland deeper into its own half. The Black & Gold generated 21 shots before halftime, but Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis repeatedly denied them and preserved the visitors’ advantage.
The same pattern continued after the break. LAFC controlled much of the attacking play, while Portland’s defense absorbed wave after wave of pressure. Pantemis was at the center of the Timbers’ resistance, finishing the night with 10 saves as LAFC accumulated 34 shots and 11 attempts on target. Portland, by comparison, finished with nine shots and only two on goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 79th minute through Bouanga. Jude Terry helped move the ball to the Gabon international on the left, and Bouanga worked his way across the edge of the penalty area before driving a right-footed shot through traffic and into the far side of the net. Aaron Long and Terry were credited with assists, with Terry recording the first MLS assist of his career.
Bouanga’s goal carried added significance for an LAFC side that had gone more than three full league matches without scoring. The equalizer ended a 312-minute MLS scoring drought and gave Bouanga his team-leading 11th regular-season goal of 2026. It also rewarded an aggressive individual performance in which he attempted a career-high 12 shots and put six on target.
With the score level, LAFC continued searching for a winner. Bouanga remained dangerous and Ryan Hollingshead also went close during the closing stages, but Pantemis and the Portland defense refused to concede again. The Timbers’ task became even more difficult in stoppage time when substitute Vincent Janssen received his second yellow card and was sent off in the 93rd minute.
Despite playing the final moments with 10 men, Portland held on for the point. The draw gave the Timbers four of a possible six points against LAFC during their two regular-season meetings in 2026 and moved Portland to 8-9-4 with 28 points. For LAFC, the result stopped a two-game league losing streak and moved the club to 10-7-5 with 35 points, keeping the Black & Gold in third place in the Western Conference.
LAFC will leave the match encouraged by the volume of opportunities it produced but frustrated that such overwhelming attacking pressure resulted in only one goal. Pantemis’ performance prevented the Black & Gold from turning statistical dominance into three points, while Bouanga once again supplied the decisive moment when LAFC needed it most. The club now turns its attention to an August 29 road match against D.C. United at Audi Field.
