LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney believes his side deserved their point after coming from behind to draw 1-1 away to Portland Timbers on Sunday.

The draw represented the defending MLS Cup champions' first point of the season after four matches in what has been a slower start than many would have expected.

"Yeah, I felt like the first half we didn't really settle in great. I felt like, defensively, what we were looking to do, we were kind of in between, which led to them having a lot more possession than we wanted, and us being a little bit on our heels," said Vanney.

"In attack, I felt like we were rushing things and I felt like we could be a little bit more patient. I felt like the first half we didn't have control of the game and I felt like we were inefficient, and we were spending a lot of energy kind of on the defensive side and not accomplishing a whole lot on the attacking side."

The Galaxy were caught out with a goal from Felipe Mora just four minutes into the second half but, despite that, Vanney was more pleased with how his side set up in the second 45.

"We came out, we were structurally more stable. Guys were in good spots. The ball was moving a little bit smoother and freer amongst us, a little bit quicker, and again we were more efficient about how we were playing the game and, as such, we dominated the ball," he said.

"We played most of the game in their half of the field second half, we had some good looks. We obviously get behind and score the goal. I felt like once we got into the second half we started to really control and dictate the game.

"We let them get to the end line, and then we just lose our marks inside of the box, and they get up 1-0. So that becomes the goal they score. I like the way we played the second half. Mind you, the last 10 minutes, we were managing a couple guys. 

"We started getting extended in bad areas and opening ourselves up to some situations. But I thought we very much had control of the second half and deserved to at least get a point out of that thing based on the second-half performance."

Christian Ramirez was the man who managed to get the Galaxy level, scoring his first MLS goal for the club. The 33-year-old expertly controlled a long ball from Zanka in the 81st minute before poking it into the back of the net.

It was his second goal in as many games in all competitions, having also netted in the 4-1 victory over Herediano in the Concacaf Champions Cup in midweek.

"My confidence never wavers. I believe in myself and I put too much hard work into this, and I know the goals will come," said Ramirez. "For me, the main thing is results for the team, and I'm glad today I was able to get on the board.

"Once I got the first one on Wednesday, things opened up. I have a decent average; I think one every three games. I'm not too worried about scoring, and I know it will come. It's coming now, and it's obvious that we're starting to play better, and we're starting to understand each other."

Defender Zanka, meanwhile, was delighted to finally get their first point on the board in MLS and believes that the team are building towards something.

"Yeah, I think obviously, we're a new team. We've got to accept the fact that we are a new team," he said.  "You have to find different solutions, and sometimes that takes time.

"We're playing a lot of games and we're travelling a lot. There's a lot of challenges for us, and we're just trying to stay calm and work hard and make sure that we get better every day, and I think getting a point away here was a good step in the right direction."