Top Stories

Songo’o shines as Timbers defeat Galaxy 4-1 in preseason scrimmage

6a00e54ef2975b88330154352ad1da970c
 

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. — Cameroonian midfielder Franck Songo’o stole the show for the Portland Timbers as the trialist set up a pair of goals to help lead the Timbers to a 4-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday in the first MLS pre-season match for both teams.

Bright Dike opened the scoring in the eighth minute finishing a corner kick from trialist Franck Songo’o. A minute later, Songo’o helped the Timbers double their lead after connecting with Jorge Perlaza for the Timbers second goal.  

After both teams made wholesale changes at outset of the second half, James Marcelin gave the Timbers a 3-0 lead finishing a chance created by a through-ball from Khalif Alhassan in the 67th minute. Dan Keat ended the Timbers’ shutout hopes in the 80th with the second-year midfielder scoring on an overhead kick from six yards out.

The Timbers finished the scoring the 85th minute when Mamadou “Futty” Danso converted on a penalty kick after a Kyle Nakazawa hand ball. After a through victory over the defending MLS Cup champions, Timbers head coach John Spencer was encouraged by his club’s performance. 

“It was a good first half from all of the guys that played in that half,” said Spencer. “We went up on two quick goals with some good plays and passing movement and two very good finishes. “

Observations, notes, lineups and highlights from the scrimmage are after the jump:

GAME OBSERVATIONS

Songo’o enjoyed the finest performance of a stellar Portland first half assisting on two Timbers goals. The former FC Barcelona product was a threat throughout the match, creating several opportunities from his spot on the right flank. On his second assist, Songo’o showed his physicality as he out-muscled Todd Dunivant before sending a pass to Perlaza, who easily finished from close range. Following the match, head coach John Spencer admitted that he may be on the verge of joining the club. 

“For sure, if we can agree to certain numbers, we’re happy with what he’s brought to the team so far,” said Spencer. “It’s just up to us to sit down and hopefully agree on something to keep him here on a longer basis.”

Edson Buddle made his first appearance for the Galaxy since re-joining the club late last week from Germany. In his first outing for the Galaxy, Buddle was partnered alongside Paolo Cardozo, who played as a withdrawn forward. During his first 45 minutes of action, Buddle found himself in a physical battle with Portland defender Hanyer Mosquera, who routinely resorted to hard challenges to contain the forward.  After his first game action in more than a month, Buddle was pleased with his initial showing. 

“It felt good, it’s good to see the team,” said Buddle. “They’re moving the ball well. The young guys have gotten a lot better and I’m just happy to bea part of it. A different result and I would have been in a better mood, but there are things to work on and that’s good.”

For the second straight match, center back A.J. DeLaGarza was partnered alongside rookie defender Tommy Meyer in the Galaxy’s central defense. After a mostly silent performance against the LA Blues last week, Meyer appeared settled alongside DeLaGarza and may be solidifying a place as the front-runner to replace the injured Omar Gonzalez. Another leading candidate, veteran defender Andrew Boyens appeared in the second half partnered alongside supplemental draft choice Brian Gaul.

LINEUPS: 

PORTLAND: GK Perkins, D Palmer (Purdy, 46), D Brunner (Danso, 46), D Mosquera (Jean-Baptiste, 46), D Wallace (Chabala, 46), M Songo’o (Alhassan, 46), M Jewsbury (Marcelin, 46), M Chara (Braun, 46), M Alexander (Davids, 46), F Dike (Rincon, 75), F Perlaza (Richards, 46)

LOS ANGELES: GK Saunders (Noble, 46), D Jordan (Davies, 46; McCarty, 78), D Meyer (Boyens, 46), D DeLaGarza (Gaul, 46), D Dunivant (Murray, 46), M Franklin (Jimenez, 46), M Beckham (Walker, 46), M Sarvas (Keat, 46), M Stephens (Nakazawa, 46), F Buddle (McBean, 46), F Cardozo (Cristman, 46)

HIGHLIGHTS: 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_meh32nkJOo]

 

Comments

  1. This was nowhere near a full strength Galaxy side, nor did Portland have all it’s pieces in place. This was a pre-season opener, nothing more, nothing less. The Timbers played well, and our lads showed some real nice improvement. But when all the dust has cleared from this season in November, anyone who doesn’t expect LA to be right there at or near the top is just plain nuts. Hopefully, the Rose City boys will be right there with them.

    Reply
  2. Remember when LA lost to RSL 4-1 last year? Remember, LA is coached by Bruce Arena…. if there is one coach who know how to make adjustments it is him. We cannot underestimate his abilities to tinker with players and get the best out of them.

    It is preseason….. Portland will be better than they were last year.

    Let’s see who is playing Dec. 1st. (LA vs KC)

    Reply
  3. The Galaxy were no where near full strength. You can’t really tell how good they will be until the regular season starts, many teams do well/bad in preseason and it’s a different squad when the starting xi comes on.

    You all are completely oblivious to the fact that all preseason means is to get the players playing matches for 90, nothing else, results don’t matter.

    Reply
  4. Time to give up Galaxy. You just lost a pre-season game (we all know they matter so much) to Portland all while missing many key players.

    Reply
  5. Saunders was great last year, but a full season without the quality of Ricketts will hurt also. They need to add a defender.

    Reply
  6. I’ve only seen a 60 second clip from today’s scrimmage and I’m buying into the hype. The press has consistently gushed over him before they got to LA.

    Newcomer of the year on the Timbers?

    Reply
  7. Despite your sarcasm, there’s probably cause for worry there. The big guns — Donovan, Keane and Juninho were absent, so we can’t take anything away from this about their offense. The LA defense, on the other hand….visions of 2007-08, when LA gave up 110 goals over two seasons? I get that’s not going to happen — and a back line, with Dunivant, DeLaGarza, Leonardo, Franklin or Jordan, would be pretty good. But, 2010-11 good? Maybe not so much. They’re gonna miss Gonzo.

    Reply
  8. Just wiki’d Songo’o, man has he bounced around. I hope he can reach terms with Portland and be given a chance for a full season with a squad.

    Reply
  9. I know it don’t mean much with it being the first preseason game and LA missing most of its big names and all but… Well done Timbers, a balanced display from returners, new players, and trialists alike!

    Reply

Leave a Comment