Watch: Olivier Giroud finally scores 1st MLS goal on brilliant free kick | OneFootball

Olivier Giroud finally has his first MLS goal.

The 38-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan star needed 16 league appearances for LAFC since his arrival in MLS last summer. But he finally has his first contribution in league play after scoring a belter of a free kick in the 45th minute of Saturday night's match at the Portland Timbers.

Giroud had previously scored twice in other competitions for LAFC, once in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup final victory over Sporting Kansas City, and once in the 2024 Leagues Cup final defeat to the Columbus Crew.

And France's all-time leading international scorer had shown signs of getting closer to his first MLS contribution in last weekend's 2-1 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

So when Giroud won a foul just beyond the penalty area by absorbing a foul from Kamal Miller, teammate Denis Bouanga had no trouble stepping down and letting the Frenchman try his luck. The result? A sumptuous effort that took the paint off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal was a starting point for LAFC, which overcame an early two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw in Portland. David Martinez also scored to level the game at 2-all in the 64th minute, and Denis Bouanga scored from the penalty spot in the 90th to secure a share of the points.

Giroud isn't the only LAFC player who has struggled in attack this season. Bouanga finally scored his first of the 2025 league campaign in last weekend's win over San Jose, after setting lofty expectations by scoring 20 MLS goals in both 2023 and 2024. (Bouanga was the 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner.)

The 19-year-old Venezuelan Martinez leads LAFC players with three goals, despite making half of his eight appearances as a substitute. That includes his contribution on Saturday in Portland.