All Whites’ defender Bill Tuiloma back to action in the United States

Football is back in the United States of America after the COVID-19 pandemics as the MLS is Back Tournament kicked-off in the last weekend with 24 teams divided in six groups. All matches are being contested at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando

Portland Timbers debuted in the tournament on Monday when they faced Los Angeles Galaxy in the Group F. New Zealand international Bill Tuiloma started the match on the bench as he is recovered from a calf strain.

LA Galaxy had the opportunity to open the scoreboard in the 12th minute but Mexican forward Chicharito Hernández missed it. The Timbers found the net twice in the second half to open a 2-0 lead. Tuiloma came from the bench in the 81st minute to replace forward Diego Valeri to recompose Timbers’ defense as central defender Dario Zuparic was sent off.

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Galaxy’s reduced the difference to one goal when Gordon Wild found the net in the 82nd minute but the goal was disallowed by the referee. Six minutes later Chicharito scored for LA Galaxy but it was not enough as Timbers won the match by 2-1.

Timbers’ next clash will be against Houston Dynamo while LA Galaxy will face Los Angeles FC. Both matches are going to be contested on Saturday.