There was no breakthrough in regulation, and the score remained locked at 0-0 from kickoff to full time. That sent the game to penalties, where Portland Timbers II held their nerve to claim the extra point. For a match that lacked goals in open play, the decisive highlights arrived at the end.
The result continued a strong stretch for Portland, who sit fourth in the league standings on 45 points from 22 matches. Los Angeles FC 2 are 12th with 35 points from 21 games after failing to turn home control into a winning finish. The broader stats around recent form also favor the visitors, who came in on a run of three wins and a draw in their previous four league outings.
This latest meeting also followed Portland's 1-0 win in the previous matchup between the sides. On this occasion, they again found a way through - not in regulation, but where it mattered in the shootout.