Kevin Kelsy scores in each half to lead Timbers to 4-2 victory over Sporting KC
Kevin Kelsy scored in each half as the Portland Timbers upped their unbeaten streak to five with a 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City5 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAVID AYALA
1 G •
1 A •
0.8 SPG
1 G
1 A
0.8 SPG
Engine in midfield Ayala recorded two shots (zero on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 1-0 win against Austin FC.
Impact Ayala was all over the place for Portland in their victory over Austin on Saturday. In 82 minutes played, the Argentinian played six passes into the final third, completed all four of his long ball passes, won five of his six duels, and made two interceptions. Ayala has yet to record a goal contribution this MLS season, but it has only been two games. He will have a chance to open his account this Sunday against Nashville FC.
MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE
Ready to go for full season Ayala (undisclosed) won't have any games restrictions in 2025 and is fully fit to start the season against Vancouver on Saturday, according to Timbers reporter Adam Susman.
Impact Ayala started in 20 of his 31 appearances in 2024, racking up one goal, one assist, 56 tackles, 37 interceptions, 36 clearances and 17 chances created. He should be a regular for the Timbers once again in 2025.
FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Breaks up play effectively Ayala generated six tackles (two won), one clearance and one interception in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus FC Dallas.
Impact Ayala set the tone for the cagey 0 - 0 draw between Portland and Dallas. The young Argentinian midfielder made it a point to disrupt the game's rhythm by attempting a personal season-high and team-high six tackles (two won). He also made one interception and one clearance. Ayala's 29 appearances and 19 starts each represent new career-high marks for the young midfielder.
OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Starting Wednesday Ayala (lower body) is in the starting XI to face Austin on Wednesday.
Impact Ayala has regained his place in a two-man defensive midfield alongside Diego Chara. Therefore, the Argentinian will be reliable for his season averages of 24.3 accurate passes, 1.7 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game. He has also scored one goal and an assist over his last 16 league games.
OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Misses out Saturday Ayala (lower body) was not an option for Saturday's 1-1 draw to Vancouver.
Impact Ayala was a late call out of the squad sheet after dealing with a lower body injury. He had scored once while totaling 12 interceptions, nine tackles and six clearances in the last five MLS games. Eryk Williamson too his spot in the defensive midfield and could get the call again if Ayala is still injured.
OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Scores from set piece move Ayala scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Colorado Rapids.
Impact Ayala scored his side's only goal from a well-worked set-piece move where Miguel Araujo headed the ball on. This was Ayala's first goal for Portland in the MLS across his three seasons.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Back in Leagues Cup Ayala (leg) returned during Sunday's Leagues Cup clash with Leon.
Impact Ayala got back on the pitch for Sunday's Leagues Cup match after overcoming a leg injury. The midfielder offers more competition in the starting XI, though more often than not he will end up as a bench option.
JULY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Out Saturday Ayala (leg) is out for Saturday's match against the Galaxy.
Impact Ayala will not compete Saturday, with the midfielder held out due to a recurring leg issue. This is a bit surprising after he appeared off the bench in the club's last match despite holding the same injury going into the match, appearing to possibly have further injured himself in his short 15 minutes of play. He has started in six of their past seven matches, so this will force a change, with Eryk Williamson or Cristian Parades likely to take his spot.
JULY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
On bench versus Real Salt Lake Ayala (leg) is available as a substitute option in Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake.
Impact Ayala has yet to complete a 90-minute performance this season but has been a consistent defensive contributor lately. While he may be limited from a substitute role, the midfielder could be a decent source of passes and tackles if he gets some minutes in either Diego Chara's or Eryk Williamson's place.
JULY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Earns questionable tag Ayala (leg) is questionable for Saturday's clash with Salt Lake, according to the MLS injury report.
Impact Ayala picked up a questionable tag for Saturday's clash after coming off at half time last time out. The defensive midfielder has often been subbed off so it's possible he's just dealing with some standard wear-and-tear. Still his status is worth watching ahead of Saturday's match.
JULY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Assists in loss Ayala assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Minnesota United.
Impact Ayala assisted the opening goal of Saturday's match as he set up Jonathan Rodriguez's goal in the 17th minute. It came on the only chance he created in the match and it marked his first goal contribution of the season. He had a productive match defensively too as he won three tackles, intercepted one pass, made six clearances and blocked one shot. He was subbed off in the 69th minute for Antony.
MAY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Withdrawn due to injury Ayala was substituted with an undisclosed injury in Sunday's 3-3 draw with Kansas City.
Impact Ayala was making his first start of the season and was taken off in the 54th minute. His replacement, Diego Chara, could be in line to start against Los Angeles on Saturday if Ayala fails to recover.
APRIL 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Plays second half in friendly Ayala (knee) played the second half during Jan 27 1-0 preseason win over the Phoenix Rising.
Impact Ayala made his return to the pitch after tearing his ACL back in May of last year. Since joining the side in 2022, he's totaled 11 starts in 25 appearances, totaling 34 tackles (17 won), 19 interceptions and 16 clearances. With the midfielder just returning from almost a year absence, he is not expected to jump the starting XI right as he will likely remain a bench option to open the 2024 campaign.
FEBRUARY 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Timbers M David Ayala (torn ACL) out for season Portland Timbers midfielder David Ayala will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL, the team confirmed Tuesday.
MAY 2, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Timbers M David Ayala (torn ACL) out for season Portland Timbers midfielder David Ayala will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL, the team confirmed Tuesday.
MAY 2, 2023 • MIAMIHERALD.COM
Torn ACL confirmed Ayala will undergo a season-ending surgery next week to repair a torn ACL he suffered in the win over St. Louis last weekend, Portland announced Tuesday.
Impact Ayala missed the first month of the season with a knee injury and he returned to make four MLS appearances (three starts) in the Timbers' midfield before suffering this torn ACL last weekend. The 20-year-old's sophomore campaign with the club is over now as he joins Eryk Williamson (knee) in the recovery room.
MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Stretchered off against St. Louis Ayala was subbed out of Saturday's victory against St. Louis City in the 21st minute after suffering a non-contact injury. Cristhian Paredes replaced him in midfield.
Impact Ayala had started three consecutive MLS games in Portland's midfield after returning in early April from a knee surgery he underwent in preseason. He will hope that his injury Saturday is nothing major, but it is possible that he could be set for a long spell on the sidelines.
APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Takes three shots in loss Ayala took three shots (one on target) and won two of three tackles in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against FC Cincinnati. He also made a clearance and three interceptions in the match.
Impact Ayala has started consecutive games alongside Diego Chara in midfield since recovering from a knee surgery he underwent in February, and he was dangerous going forward against Cincinnati on Saturday.
APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Makes three tackles in return Ayala had three tackles (two won) in Sunday's 1-0 loss versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 91st minute.
Impact Ayala made his season debut for the club after playing 13 minutes off the bench. He will have to work up his form if he wants to be considered an option to start, with 26 tackles (12 won), 15 interceptions and 13 clearances in 21 appearances in 2022.
APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Features for reserve team Ayala (knee) played roughly 30 minutes off the bench in Monday's defeat against San Jose II for Timbers 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
Impact Ayala returned to action for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in early February as he played for Portland's reserve team on Monday. The 20-year-old midfielder will hope continue regaining fitness and re-join the senior side soon.
APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Upgraded to questionable Ayala (knee) is listed as questionable in Portland's injury report for Saturday's clash against FC Dallas.
Impact Ayala has been training with the Timbers for a few weeks now as he continues his recovery from a knee surgery in early February, and he could now be fit enough to make his season debut against Dallas on Saturday.
MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Still out against Los Angeles Ayala (knee) will remain sidelined for Saturday's clash against the Galaxy, according to Portland's injury report. Manager Giovanni Savarese said Thursday that Ayala could "possibl...
Impact Ayala has returned to full training with the Timbers as he continues his recovery from a knee surgery he underwent in early February, but he's still not been deemed fit enough to be involved on Saturday.
MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back in training Ayala (knee) returned to training in some capacity with the Timbers on Tuesday, Ryan Clarke of The Oregonian reports.
Impact Ayala underwent knee surgery at the beginning of February, but he's making progress with his recovery and even has an outside chance of being available for Saturday's clash against Atlanta United.
MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out against Kansas City Ayala (knee) is ruled out for Saturday's clash with Kansas City, Portland announced.
Impact Ayala is ruled out for the opening match of 2023 with a knee injury, that he underwent knee surgery for. Ayala is expected to miss two months, putting a damper on his sophomore year in MLS.
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
