After a nearly three-week hiatus due to the international window, the Major League Soccer campaign resumes on Saturday for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who host the Portland Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park.
In their previous encounter at the end of May, LA came back to beat Austin FC 4-1 to move into fifth in the Western Conference, while Portland have lost three in a row and are three points back of a playoff berth.
Match preview
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The offensive potency of the Galaxy appears to have finally been unleashed, with seven goals in their last two matches in all competitions while conceding only twice.
Momentum in LA seemed to shift when facing their arch-rivals Los Angeles FC in the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open Cup in a match that manager Greg Vanney called a complete performance from his side.
Before their impressive attacking displays against Austin and the Black and Gold, they seemed to lack precision in the final third, scoring a goal or fewer in seven consecutive league fixtures.
Last season, LA heavily relied on Chicharito to score, and this year they have been a lot more balanced all over the field, while getting contributions from numerous players.
Throughout the early portion of this campaign, Vanney seemed to be experimenting with the proper system to make this group successful, while also trying to figure out how each player fits within the right formation.
Their 4-2-3-1 setup employed against Austin and LAFC proved decisive, as the Galaxy were a lot sharper off the ball while also being much quicker at getting through their opponent's block when in possession.
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Thumping Sporting Kansas City 7-2 has done little to boost the confidence of Portland, who are only two points ahead of KC for last place in the Western Conference after making it to the MLS Cup Final in 2021.
Even though one victory will put them right back in the mix for a playoff berth, at the rate which they are going, that appears like a monumental task, with the Timbers averaging just a point per game, currently 20th in MLS when it comes to expected goal differential.
Manager Giovanni Savarese has been critical of the amount of space that his players have allowed in dangerous areas of the field, conceding multiple goals in four straight matches in all competitions.
They were a little unlucky to only score once in their final match last month versus Inter Miami, losing 2-1, but generally, they have not been aggressive in the final third away from home, scoring a goal or fewer in six road fixtures this year.
The lengthy break was used as a way to try and detach themselves mentally in the hopes that they can show more urgency on Saturday afternoon.
Portland have only won once this year away from home, squandering four points when leading in the second half of a game this season.
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Team News
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LA striker Dejan Joveljic made history in their previous encounter, becoming the first person in MLS to contribute to four goals as a substitute.
He scored twice and assisted on the goals scored by Chicharito and Efrain Alvarez after replacing Samuel Grandsir just before the hour mark.
Grandsir and Raheem Edwards have been key contributors this season, as they are tied for the team lead in assists with three.
The Galaxy remain without Adam Saldana (left ankle), Jorge Villafana (left knee), Sacha Kljestan (hip), Sega Coulibaly (knee), Douglas Costa (left leg) and Eriq Zavaleta (upper leg) though injury.
Bill Tuiloma has tallied in three of his last four matches for Portland, scoring once for his team, though also netting an own goal, which gave the Galaxy a 3-1 win over the Timbers in early April.
Santiago Moreno and Cristhian Paredes were both credited with an assist in their loss to Miami, as they are two of the five Timber players with multiple assists this year, along with Sebastian Blanco, Yimmi Chara and Eryk Williamson.
Unfortunately, Williamson is one of many players unavailable for Savarese at the moment with a hamstring strain, with the other injuries being to David Bingham (back), Blake Bodily (hamstring), Claudio Bravo (thigh), George Fochive (hip), Diego Gutierrez (foot) and Jaroslaw Niezgoda (thigh), while Felipe Mora is questionable following his knee surgery.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, DePuy, Williams, Edwards; Raveloson, Delgado; Cabral, Alvarez, Grandsir; Chicharito
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Rasmussen, Zuparic, Mabiala, Van Rankin; Y. Chara, Fochive, Paredes; Asprilla, Fogaca, Ikoba
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Portland Timbers
LA have settled into a nice rhythm as they look a lot more comfortable in their current setup, while they are getting contributions from various sources.
Portland have experienced low points in previous campaigns and managed to snap out of it, but right now, they look like a broken team, which the Galaxy should be able to use to their advantage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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