(9) Portland Timbers (1,1,3, 6 points) vs (7) Los Angeles Galaxy (2,2,0, 6 points)
Sunday April 3, 2022, KO 1:30 PM PST/ 4:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
This season, the moves implemented by its manager Giovanni Savarese are working well, but in the end, it’s teamwork that makes the difference.
In their last match against Orlando where the Rose City side rescued a point, they could rise with the win if their goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic could have done more to prevent that goal that gave the lead to the visitors.
Van Rankin playing like he doesn’t care and getting a red card for holding the likes of Brazilian superstar Pato wasn’t a smart move, and his defensive game isn’t living to his expectations.
On the positive side, the likes of Zac McGraw getting the start since the beginning of the season and doing a grand job is something worth mentioning and when Cristhian Paredes is looking like the man is ready for a starting role.
However, the return of Erick Williamson will raise the levels of competition between Paredes, Williamson, and newcomer Ayala. That for sure will make the season very interesting for the Timbers. As I would like to see the likes of Justin Rasmussen make a big impact in this season and the ones to come that one day he can become an undisputable starter.
Last season, the Tinsel Town side had the Timbers’ number and having a bye due to the international break. The Galaxy will come well-rested and ready to face off a Portland side looking for its second win of the season.
The question I raise is about Ivacic game, can he make the best of his game and raise it and make it better in every game he plays? For a hungry Galaxy team looking to bring back their confidence in the season, a win is imperative for the Rose City team to show off its authority as a local team and make the most of it!
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Justin Rasmusen, Dario Zuparic, Zac McGraw, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Photo courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was the star again for the Galaxy on Sunday afternoon against NYCFC.
LA Galaxy Briefly
At the start of this nascent season, the Galaxy was showing signs of being a team to beat. With back-to-back wins over defending champions NYCFC and newcomer Charlotte FC spoiling the Queen City home debut, the American version of Los Galacticos was looking like the real deal in 2022.
Suddenly, the team has two consecutive losses against the Sounders in Seattle and dropped an important game at home against Orlando City. Manager Greg Vanney is looking for the right formula to get his Galacticos back in the winning column.
For the Tinsel Town side in the preseason, the project was looking good on blueprint and firepower, these teams shouldn’t be having issues in the early parts of the season. Adding the likes of top-class players in its striker Chicharito Hernandez and newcomer and world-class player Brazilian Douglas Costa. Somehow, the team is not living up to its expectations.
With a bye week for manager Vanney, the odds of a positive result can be within their reach, but don’t count heavily on a positive result at Providence Park. In the end, this venue is where this team hasn’t been too successful in the past.
This match-up looks very interesting and with the dominance from the Tinsel Town team last season over the Portland Timbers, for sure this will be one interesting affair this upcoming Sunday.
Probable Lineup:
GK Jonathan Bond, Julian Araujo, Sega Coulibaly, Nick DePuy, Rahem Edwards; Douglas Costa, Rayan Raveloson, Marky Delgado, Kevin Cabral; Victor Vazquez; Javier Chicharito Hernandez
Meetings
10/16/2021 LA Galaxy 2-1 Portland Timbers
07/30/2021 LA Galaxy 4-1 Portland Timbers
05/22/2021 Portland Timbers 3-0 LA Galaxy
Forecast
The Galaxy needs a much-needed turnaround, and the question is if they do it against Portland?
