Los Angeles: Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes scored early goals and the Los Angeles Galaxy ended the Timbers’ nine-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 Major League Soccer victory in Portland on Saturday.
Zarek Valentin scored for reigning MLS Cup champions Portland, who lost veteran defender Nat Borchers to what looked like a left ankle injury in the first half.
Despite the injury absences of midfielder Steven Gerrard and defender Ashley Cole — who missed his fourth game with a sore hamstring — the Galaxy struck early to stretch their MLS winning streak to four games.
Keane struck first, heading in Giovani dos Santos’ cross in the seventh minute. It was Keane’s seventh goal in 10 matches this season.
Four minutes later Emmanuel Boateng and Jelle Van Damme set up Zardes, who doubled the lead to 2-0.
The Galaxy have 34 goals this season, matching FC Dallas for the most in the league.
Zarek Valentin pulled one back for Portland in the 41st minute, taking a pass from Darlington Nagbe and beating Galaxy keeper Brad Rowe with a right-footed shot.
The Timbers had several more chances, including Nagbe’s point-blank shot that he fired high in the last 10 minutes.
