Chivas USA tops Timbers, 2-1

PORTLAND — Nick LaBrocca’s goal in the 82nd minute lifted Chivas USA to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.

Captain Alejandro Moreno evened the match with a header off a perfectly placed cross from sub Ryan Smith in the 48th minute for Chivas USA (2-3-0), which had come into the game with only one goal this season.

LaBrocca’s header for the victory also came off a cross from Smith.

The Timbers (1-3-1) failed to hold on to a lead for the second straight game. Portland allowed Western Conference-leading Real Salt Lake to score twice in the final minutes for a 3-2 victory last Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field.

Scottish striker Kris Boyd got his second goal of the season in the 17th minute, when Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and defender James Riley collided in front of the goal. Boyd calmly took advantage with a boot into the net, putting the Timbers up 1-0.

Cesar Romero, making his first start of the season for Chivas, had a header that went just wide in the 32nd minute. The Goats’ second half would prove much more productive against Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Chivas was still without forward Juan Pablo Angel, who has returned to training but did not travel to Portland because of post-concussion symptoms. Rookie Casey Townsend, who had started in his place, had the Goats’ only other goal this season.

Chivas has dropped 1-0 decisions to Houston, Vancouver and Sporting KC. The team’s lone victory before Saturday was a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Portland defender Lovel Palmer appeared to hurt his right wrist and went to the sidelines in the 77th minute, but returned to the match.

The Timbers saw the return of midfielder Kalif Alhassan, who missed a game with a left groin strain. Alhassan scored his first MLS goal in Portland’s season-opening victory over Philadelphia.

Midfielder Franck Songo’o of Cameroon, acquired by Portland in February, made his first start of the season.

Portland was coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss at home last weekend to RSL, which scored the equalizer in the 89th minute before Kyle Beckerman’s game-winner in stoppage time.

Portland has allowed eight goals this season.

Chivas midfielder Oswaldo Minda earned a yellow card with a tackle on Diego Chara in the 26th minute.

The teams split their series last season with each winning at home.

CHIVAS USA 2, TIMBERS 1

Chivas USA 0 2–2

Portland 1 0–1

First half–1, Portland, Boyd 2, 16th minute.

Second half–2, Chivas USA, Moreno 1 (Smith), 48th. 3, Chivas USA, LaBrocca 1 (Smith), 82nd.

Goalies–Chivas USA, Dan Kennedy; Portland, Troy Perkins.

Yellow Cards–Minda, Chivas USA, 26th; Riley, Chivas USA, 89th; Smith, Chivas USA, 90th+.

A–20,438 (20,000)

Lineups

Chivas USA–Dan Kennedy, Heath Pearce, James Riley, Ante Jazic, Rauwshan McKenzie, Oswaldo Minda, Nick LaBrocca, Ben Zemanski, Blair Gavin (Ryan Smith, 46th), Alejandro Moreno, Cesar Romero (Laurent Courtois, 73rd).

Portland–Troy Perkins, Eric Brunner, Rodney Wallace (Mike Chabala, 46th), Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Lovel Palmer, Eric Alexander (Jorge Perlaza, 76th), Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, Franck Songo’o (Kalif Alhassan, 62nd), Jack Jewsbury, Kris Boyd.