Alex Bonetig's First MLS Goal in Stoppage Time Ends San Diego's Worst Stretch in Club History

Portland just walked into Snapdragon Stadium and broke San Diego's spirit in the cruelest way possible. Alex Bonetig, scoring his first career MLS goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, lifted the visiting Timbers to a 2-1 victory Saturday night and handed SDFC their fifth consecutive defeat, a club record that nobody saw coming this season.

Portland Finally Gets the Road Result That's Been Eluding Them

This one mattered for Portland too. The Timbers came in winless on the road through four tries, sitting at 3-5-1 with 10 points. Kevin Kelsy had gotten them rolling early, scoring his second goal of the season in the 26th minute after he forced a turnover deep in San Diego's half. He slalomed past defender Christopher McVey and dragged a low finish past goalkeeper Duran Ferree into the bottom right corner.

But James Pantemis, the Timbers goalkeeper, was the real difference maker. He made only three saves, but two of them were absolutely critical. A 79th-minute denial of Lewis Morgan when the match was still locked at 1-1, and then another stop of Anders Dreyer in the final moments after Bonetig's winner. Those interventions kept Portland's first away points of the season alive when it mattered most.

San Diego's Collapse Reaches New Depths

San Diego came back into it quick. Anders Dreyer equalized from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after referee Jon Freemon spotted a handball on defender Brandon Bye. Dreyer's goal tied him for the team lead with his fifth of the season, and it kept SDFC in the fight at 1-1 heading into the second half.

But the hosts couldn't hold on. San Diego captain Jeppe Tverskov left the field in the 81st minute with an apparent injury, a sign things were falling apart. Portland had one more scare in the 83rd minute when Antony somehow missed an open net after Ferree rushed off his line, but the Timbers' resilience finally paid off on a corner kick. The ball bounced around in a scramble, Bonetig found it, and he powered a low finish from about 8 yards past Ferree to seal it.

San Diego now sits at 3-5-2 with 11 points, and five straight losses is a weight that's hard to shake. This is the kind of stretch that defines a season, and the Timbers just made sure of it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.