Timbers come up short in 1-0 loss vs. Chivas USA

The Timbers had one goal in mind Saturday — to win. Chivas USA had one goal Saturday — and won.

In the 70th minute of their MLS match, Marcos Mondaini scored the lone goal of the game to give the Rojiblancos a 1-0 win over Portland at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Mondaini had just returned from a four-game suspension for a tackle on Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales in early May.

Midfielder Paulo Nagamura set up the goal for Chivas USA (4-4-5), taking the pass from Chris Cortez and crossing the ball across the goal mouth to Mondaini, who tapped it past Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

It was Mondaini’s second goal of the year.

The Timbers (5-5-2) almost tied the score just a couple minutes later, Jack Jewsbury nearly putting it in the net off a pass from Darlington Nagbe. They also controlled late stretches after the goal, but were unable to score.

Not that the Rojiblancos didn’t have their opportunities, as well.

Chivas USA nearly scored shortly before halftime when Justin Braun headed a pass from Jorge Flores that went just wide of the net. Portland was resigned primarily to counter attacks, but did have one good look at the goal in the first half when Jewsbury took a shot from 25 yards out that forced Rojiblancos goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to palm it away.

Portland is the only team in the MLS yet to win on the road.

Chivas USA, which played in front of a crowd of 14,076, won at home for the second time this season. Saturday marked the team’s first win since May 15.

The Timbers’ next game will be Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field, when they take on Colorado, the defending MLS Cup champions. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.