Robbie Keane scores goal of the season contender in MLS

It’s no surprise that a goalscoring record was broken on the insane day, but what was at least a little surprising was Portland’s second win of the week, a five-goal, comeback victory over LA that announced the Timbers’ intentions for the postseason quite clearly.

Can the Portland Timbers save their season with a big but improbable win on the road over the Galaxy?

“This was obviously a disappointment in the last home game of the season”, Keane said.

“And five goals is a lot, but we are very proud of our efforts”.

In Washington, Chris Pontius scored in the 39th minute and D.C. United added three second-half goals to beat the Chicago Fire 4-0.

Coming into this one, the Timbers are as riddled with injuries as they have been at any point this year.

LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane celebrates after a first half goal.

Despite heading into halftime down 1-0 after giving up a goal to LA striker Robbie Keane, the Timbers took control from the opening whistle in the second half. However, in the first half the Timbers failed to register a single shot that was on frame, but in the final 45 minutes that all changed.

The Timbers hung a high five on the Galaxy with a back-breaking goal in stoppage time.

Adi made it 1-1 in the 65th minute with a turnaround left-footed strike from the middle of the box. Portland’s midfielder Diego Valeri started the play near the center of the field.

A tweak of the system from Caleb Porter brought out the best in Darlington Nagbe against RSL, where he missed connecting only three of his passes, and the Timbers got a vital win before also beating LA on the weekend. After completing the give and go Valeri took off running towards the top of the penalty box.

Adi turned with the ball against little opposition, then powered it into the net’s ceiling, and it was 1-1.

Before the match, longtime Galaxy servant Todd Dunivant was honored with his family in a pre-game ceremony. A few minutes later he received the ball inside the box and was forced to hold the ball with his back towards the goal.

Portland was playing for their playoff lives on the pitch as the Pacific Northwest team now sits in the sixth position, three points ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. For Orlando to make the playoffs, they’ll have to beat Philadelphia, hope the Revs lose to NYCFC, and make up the eight goal deficit in the process.

“I think it’s a good wakeup call”, defender Omar Gonzalez said.

There is a third option, however: Maximiliano Urruti. In practice, Urruti was completely shut down when given the start in the Timbers’ last trip to LA.

“Soundly beaten, if I could tell you exactly it wouldn’t have happened but let’s give Portland credit”, a frustrated LA’s head coach Bruce Arena said after the defeat. “They thoroughly dominated us, in a physical nature, I’d say, more than anything”. “Their desire to win that game and fight and work was much greater than ours”.

For the defending MLS champion Galaxy, who have already secured a playoff berth and a shot at retaining the Cup, the Sunday visit from the Timbers offers an opportunity to gain on FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls in the race for the Supporters Shield, the league’s award for the team with the best regular season record, as well as chance to improve their playoff seeding. Seattle and Sporting Kansas City have 48 points each; SKC has two games left. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, October 18, at the StubHub Center in Carson – a suburb just south of Los Angeles – 7 p.m. Eastern Time.