Lane United Outlasts Portland 2-1 in Heated Rivalry at Civic Park

Eugene, OR — The second game of the in-state rivalry between the Portland Bangers and Lane United commenced today at Civic Park in a battle between sides only separated by one point in the standings. The Bangers came into today riding a 5-game unbeaten streak, whereas Lane United was sitting one point ahead with a game in hand as the season nears its end. Back on June 23rd, the teams met up in Portland and came away with a 1-1 draw at the, courtesy of Pedgoal from Ersen's goal for Bangers and a goal from super sub, David ee, for Lae United.

Controversy struck in the 12th minute. A Lane United breakaway found Brady McClellan having to make a tackle from behind the Lane forward. It looked to be a clear penalty, but thankfully, the ref kept his whistle in his pocket. Immediately following that, Loic Baures with a long lofted through ball to Drew Pedersen, who found himself 1v1 on goal. Pedersen, with only the goalkeeper to beat, ends up sending the ball through the uprights and out into the parking lot. 

2 minutes later, a Lane turnover turned into a 4v2 break to goal for Portland. Pedersen took the ball and unselfishly laid the ball back to Vala Saghafi. The 2-goal scorer from the last game took the ball on his weaker right foot, and it sailed out of bounds for Portland’s second big chance missed. 

The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute as Lane capitalized on a Loic Baures foul right outside the Bangers' box. Baures was shown a yellow card for his foul on Mouhamth Thiam, and the Lane striker made his opportunity count. His right-footed curling shot rose over the wall and nestled into the top corner to give Lane the 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. 

Lane went into the break leading 1-0, having dominated the stat sheet, leading the game in key statistics like possession, shots, and fouls drawn. The Bangers were outshot 8-4 in the first half, with none of those shots being on target. Head coach Jorge Villafana is known for making multiple substitutions at halftime to switch up tactics, but this game featured no substitutions from either side to go into the second half.

GOAL! Oliver Jeppe picks out the young talent, Vala Saghafi, who scores his third goal of the season. After recording a brace in Seattle last week, Saghafi added to his tally with another brilliant finish, capping off a superb run initiated by Jeppe. Receiving the pass just over 30 yards from goal, Saghafi took control, shifted past his defender with a deft drop of the shoulder to his right, and cut onto his favored left foot. Saghafi unleashed a powerful strike from just inside the 18-yard box, beating the Lane United goalkeeper and finding the back of the net to level the match at 1-1.

Minutes later, Milo Wrey put Lane back in front. An expertly maneuvered play by Mouhamth Thiam beat all the Portland defenders to the endline before sugaring the ball across the goal frame to Wray. Wray will get credit for the goal, but that was the work of the player of the game, Mouhamth Thiam.

Portland had a chance to equalize in the 80th. An inswinging corner kick came in and found the head of Oliver Jeppe, who guided it to the back post and over the goalkeeper's reach. If it were not for the Lane United defenders' heroics to keep it out of the net, the scoreline would have been even.

In the end, it was Lane United who held on for the narrow victory in this fiercely contested rivalry match. Despite a strong second-half response from the Bangers, including Saghafi’s equalizer and a late push for another goal, Lane's defensive resilience and Thiam’s game-changing performance proved decisive. Portland’s unbeaten streak comes to an end, while Lane United climbs into 2nd place in the Northwest division with two to play. 

Match Timeline: Portland Bangers 1 – 2 Lane United

First Half:
40’ – ⚽ Goal: Mouhamth Thiam (Lane United)
40’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Loic Baures (Portland Bangers)

Second Half:
52’ – ⚽ Goal: Vala Saghafi (Portland Bangers)
52’ – 🅰️ Assist: Vala Saghafi (Portland Bangers)
59’ – ⚽ Goal: Milo Wrey (Lane United)
59’ – 🅰️ Assist: Mouhamth Thiam (Lane United)
59’ – 🔁 Substitution: Vance Sheffield enters for Portland
59’ – 🔁 Substitution: Wylie Trujillo enters for Portland
70’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Mouhamth Thiam (Lane United)
73’ – 🔁 Substitution: Alex Perez Hernandez enters for Portland
73’ – 🔁 Substitution: Jadon Dubon enters for Portland
75’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Donovan McClellan (Portland Bangers)
90+3’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Nico Lopez (Portland Bangers)

Starting XI – Portland Bangers:
GK: Glock
Defenders: Villanueva, McClellan, McDowd, Baures
Midfielders: Lopez, Mendoza-Soto, Aror, Jeppe (C)
Forwards: Pedersen, Saghafi

Substitutes Used: Sheffield (59’), Trujillo (59’), Perez Hernandez (73’), Dubon (73’)
Unused Subs: Norris, Klein, Sundby