LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | MLS Match Preview

LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | MLS Match Preview

LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers - Match Preview Image

LA GALAXY vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
October 18, 2015 (WEEK 33, MLS Game #330)
7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes)​

A massive match in the Western Conference playoff picture is ahead when the LA Galaxy play host to the Portland Timbers before a Fox Sports 1 audience on Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center. The Galaxy ensured their spot in the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs but are now trying to lock down a top-two position in the West, coming off a 1-1 draw at Seattle Sounders FC last time out. The Timbers made a huge step toward playoff qualification at midweek with a 1-0 victory at Real Salt Lake, but need at least a point in Southern California to overtake the San Jose Earthquakes for the sixth and final playoff spot after that team's win over Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.


  • The Galaxy secured their place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, but still failed to win for the fourth time in five games last time out, Seattle Sounders FC hitting for a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw Oct. 4 at CenturyLink Field.
  • The teams are meeting for the third time this season. On June 24, five different Galaxy players found the back of the net as LA cruised to a 5-0 victory at Stub Hub Center. On March 15 at Providence Park, Alan Gordon hit for the equalizer in second-half stoppage time, answering Fanendo Adi’s second goal of the game right on the stroke of full time, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw.
  • The Galaxy are undefeated in their last five meetings with the Timbers, with three wins and two draws. The Galaxy have never lost to the Timbers in Carson, with six wins in seven matches there all-time.


REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Alex Chilowicz
MLS Career: 34 games; FC/gm: 26.5; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 10; pens: 12


SUSPENDED: POR: Alvas Powell (caution accumulation; through Oct. 18)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: LA: Juninho … POR: Diego Chara, Diego Valeri
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: LA: Baggio Husidic, Mika Vayrynen, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Rogers, Alan Gordon … POR: Rodney Wallace, Lucas Melano, Maximiliano Urruti
DISABLED LIST: LA: Brian Perk (season-ending injury)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none


HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (13 meetings): Galaxy 6 wins, 26 goals … Timbers 3 wins, 16 goals … Ties 4
AT LA (7 meetings): Galaxy 5 wins, 17 goals … Timbers 0 wins, 4 goals … Ties 2


2015 (MLS)
3/15: POR 2, LA 2 (Adi 31, 90 - Zardes 65; Gordon 92+)
6/24: LA 5, POR 0 (Lletget 13; Keane 18; Rogers 33; Juninho 72; Villarreal 88)


  • Coaches record: Caleb Porter vs. LA: P8 W2 L2 D4 … Bruce Arena vs. POR: P13 W6 L3 D4


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