Valeri, Wallace score, Timbers beat Chivas 2-0

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Diego Valeri has had quite a week.

First he got the assist on Landon Donovan's game-winning goal in the MLS All-Star game victory over German power Bayern Munich.

Then he scored his fourth goal in four games as the Portland Timbers beat struggling Chivas USA 2-0 on Saturday night.

''It was a special week. Obviously the most important is this win because we needed that. But the All-Star game - that was obviously special to me,'' Valeri said.

Rodney Wallace also scored in Portland's third victory at home this season. The win gave Portland (7-7-9) a share of fifth place in the Western Conference with 11 matches left.

Chivas (6-11-5), sitting in last place in the West, has lost four straight after a four-game winning streak.

''It didn't go well for us in the first half. We were very tentative with the ball and we lost the ball in transition, and they took advantage of that,'' Chivas coach Wilmer Cabrera said.

Earlier this week the focus was on Portland because of the Major League Soccer All-Star game at Providence Park.

Timbers coach Caleb Porter led the All-Stars to a 2-1 victory Wednesday night over Bundesliga champion Bayern. Donovan scored the winning goal in his record 14th All-Star game appearance, and the next day the L.A. Galaxy forward announced he was retiring from soccer at the end of this season.

The Timbers had three players on the All-Star roster, including Valeri, but then it was back to business quickly as the team makes the push toward the playoffs.

Coming off a 3-1 loss at the Galaxy last weekend, Portland entered the game in seventh place in the West.

Valeri fooled a pair of defenders and got off a long shot that sailed past the outstretched arms of Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

With seven goals this season, Valeri is the second-leading scorer on the team behind Maximiliano Urruti, who has eight. Valeri leads the team with eight assists.

Valeri has 17 goals with the Timbers, matching the team's career leader, Darlington Nagbe.

''I'm glad about my performance because it's helping the team,'' Valeri said.

Liam Ridgewell thought he had a rebound goal for the Timbers in the 25th minute, but it was ruled offsides.

Portland upped its advantage to 2-0 with Wallace's bouncing goal from atop the box. Wallace danced on the sidelines to celebration his first goal of the season. Afterward the Timers Army supporters group chanted his name.

''It was something special tonight, for sure,'' Wallace said afterward. ''I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.''

The Timbers were without Nagbe for the second straight game with a knee injury.