San Diego FC dropped its second match of the Coachella Valley Invitational after a 3-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers on Wednesday afternoon. SDFC forward Chucky Lozano was not in the starting lineup after having played 64 minutes in the previous game versus NYCFC, but he did come in the 61st minute with the team trailing 1-0 on a 16th-minute goal by striker Felipe Mora.
Just like the match on Saturday, San Diego FC managed to create some scoring chances in the first half including one in the 43rd minute on a left-footed shot from just outside the box by midfielder Onni Valakari. Forward Emmanuel Boateng had a chance to tie the game in the 47th minute, but his angled shot from 8 yards away went just wide.
Lozano being subbed in was a shot in the arm to the offense with the Mexican striker almost finding the back of the net in the 62nd minute and then again in the 73rd minute with a shot that hit the post.
Portland ended up putting the game away thanks to two late breakaway goals from forward Gage Guerra with the first coming in the 81st minute and the other in the 84th minute off a pass by teammate Tommy McNamara.
The most controversial play of the match came in the 88th minute when SDFC defender Franco Negri was taken down inside the box by midfielder Malcolm Johnston with no whistle being blown. Negri grabbed his leg as he fell to the ground and was able to make his way to the sideline writhing in pain. Negri’s teammates came to his defense after some pushing and shoving instigated by Portland had ensued with the referee nowhere in sight with no yellow cards or warnings of any kind being issued.
San Diego FC wraps up the tournament on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.
GRADES
Goalkeeping: C+
Nothing could be done on those final two scores from Guerra, which turned into one vs. one breakaway opportunities for Portland.
Defending: C-
Even though they gave up one more goal than they did versus NYCFC, the team was pretty solid for about 80 minutes and looked better catching Portland on the offside trap several times.
Midfield: B-
The team was more cohesive and efficient with crisp passing and ball retention during large parts of the match.
Attacking: B
Despite being shut out this time, there were more quality chances to score than in the game against NYCFC. The final touch failed them this time, plus the post was not their friend.
Refereeing: F
It’s funny how a pretty respectable performance can go out the window on one play, but that is exactly the case here with a blown no-call that was not only a clear penalty but a potential red card. What followed were the actions of someone clearly in over his head and not knowing how to get a match back under control once the players had to come to the defense of their teammate as the opponent saw there would be zero consequences.
