PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland’s Kristoffer Velde scored in the 13th minute and Timbers defender Kamal Miller picked up a red card seven minutes later, but James Pantemis surrendered only a João Klauss goal to help them hold on for a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
Velde scored for the second time this season to give Portland (1-3-1) a 1-0 lead early. But things became difficult from the 20th minute on when Miller received his card for a foul on Klauss.
Antony Alves Santos notched his first assist this season on the score and Joao Ortiz picked up his second.
Klauss came up with the equalizer in the 30th minute with assists from Marco Reus and Gabriel Pec. It was the fifth goal for Klauss, who has certainly helped ease the loss of superstar Riqui Puig for a second straight season due to injuries. Klauss spent his first three seasons with St. Louis City, where he scored 25 goals in 79 appearances.
Reus earned his first assist this season after posting a career-best nine last year. Pec’s helper was his third to begin the season.
Pantemis totaled six saves for the Timbers, including four in the first half.
JT Marcinkowski stopped two shots in his first start of the season for the Galaxy (1-2-2).
The Galaxy lead the series 14-12-11, but are 5-10-11 in Portland. The two clubs played to a 1-1 draw in Portland last season before the Timbers posted a 4-2 victory on the road.
Up next
Los Angeles: Hosts Minnesota United on April 4.
Portland: Visits the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 4.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
