(4) Portland Timbers (3,2,2, 11 points) vs (9) Los Angeles Galaxy (2,3,2, 8 points)
Wednesday September 2, 2020 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Week 9
Portland Timbers Briefly
Giovanni Savarese is not a happy man after surrendering a possible win last Sunday, due to the push of a determined, fighting and resilient Real Salt Lake.
After the Timbers gave up their lead three times, in the end they had to settle for their share of spoils with the visiting team. Once again, they showed a defensive meltdown that costed three valuable points.
As the adage states, it’s the defense that wins games, but not in Rose City. By surrendering a hard-fought two-goal lead, they let what could be a valuable win slip away.
It’s time for moves in the defensive backfield. As the Green and Gold have nine defenders on the roster and repeated the same four as in Orlando, there is an imperative need to make changes in the lineup.
Not all is negative – the offensive game for the hardened Timbers is looking good and in the RSL game, everyone contributed to that eight-goal game that saw both of its forwards in Niezgoda and Mora scoring.
My question that arises is if Gio will make changes in his lineup, as well as in his game strategy with a more dynamic diamond formation utilizing a couple of forwards in both players mentioned before, adding Jeremy Ebobisse in the wings.
That’s Gio’s call and I recall that he never spoke or made any promises of winning trophies.
He has delivered a couple and a final in his first year at the helm. For the many fans asking for his dismissal, I think it sounds very premature. I for sure Believe in Gio!
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Pablo Bonilla, Larry’s Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Marvin Loria, Sebastian Blanco, Andy Polo; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Courtesy of LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy Briefly
Manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto is enjoying his team’s sudden surge in their game, mentally ready to shine and looking for their third consecutive win of the season. Why not against the Portland Timbers.
So far, the Galacticos are displaying a new style of game and showing more seriousness in every match, as well as looking forward to catapulting from a ninth spot above the seventh place that enabled them a spot in the postseason.
For a team that had a sorry performance in this past MLS tournament in Orlando, they’re now turning a corner and showing many improvements on the field and playing with more resilience to win.
By winning back-to-back Derbies, as they are called the Cali Clasicos, beating their cross archrivals LAFC at Banc of California Stadium and recently at home against their Bay area foes the San Jose Earthquakes.
This team is making a statement and despite missing their top signing, Mexican superstar Chicharito Hernandez, in the injured reserves, this team will do with their current crop of players.
In the end for manager Barros Schelotto, a true MLS legend in his playing years, anything less than three points will not do. The Tinsel Town Boys will be a handful for the home side.
Probable Lineup:
GK David Bingham, Rolf Feltscher, Daniel Steres, Nicholas DePuy, Emiliano Insua; Perry Kitchen, Joe Corona; Julian Araujo, Sebastian Llegett, Cristian Pavon; Ethan Zubak
Meetings
July 13, 2020, LA Galaxy 1-2 Portland Timbers
July 27, 2019, Portland Timbers 4-0 LA Galaxy
March 31, 2019, LA Galaxy 2-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The way the Galaxy has been playing lately, I can see them as slight favorites to take this match
Portland Timbers
