PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 8, 2018: The Portland Timbers new coach Giovanni Savarese presentation (Photo by Diego Diaz/ProstAmerika).
With Major League Soccer opening its 22nd edition. This weekend will see many of its fronts in action with six matches scheduled on Saturday and four on Sunday. Among one of them that has all the attention is the LA Galaxy hosting its conference foes, the Portland Timbers. As both squads in the preseason armed themselves to make a run not only to the league postseason but all the way to its finals.
The Rose City squad with one of its toughest schedules in the campaign. They’ll be playing their first match of the campaign in their house of horrors, Stub Hub Center in Carson, California. At home the Angelinos have an edge over the Portland squad with 5 wins, 2 losses and 3 ties. With one of many matches of the campaign on the road. The Mighty PTFC under its new manager, they better make honor to its moniker and overcome a serious problem these had the last two campaigns, winining on the road.
In the case of the Galaxy coming from a disastrous 2017 occupying the Western Conferece cellar. This 2018 they would like to bury that in the past and return to its old winning ways under manager Sigi Schmidt. In the case of the Portland Timbers newcomer manager Giovanni Savarese aware of his upcoming challenge. One thing he and his Portland Timbers have in mind, just win.
So far, the Portland Timbers since their inception to Major League Soccer in 2011. In eighteen meetings against the Galaxy, the Rose City squad has 6 wins, 8 losses and 4 draws. With 27 goals in favor and 32 agasint. As their upcoming March 4 match in Tinsel Town, both squads come even at this meeting, and no favorites. Below are the posible lineups for both squads ahead of their Sunday match and showing off new faces.
LA Galaxy- 4-2-3-1
David Bingham- Rolf Feltscher, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole- Perry Kitchen, Jonathan dos Santos- Romain Alessandrini, Giovanni dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget- Ola Kamara.
Portland Timbers- 4-2-3-1
Jake Gleeson- Alvas Powell, Larry Mabbialas, Liam Ridgewell, Marco Farfan- David Guzman, Diego Chara (Cristhian Paredes)- Dairon Aspirilla (Andy Polo), Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco- Faneando Adi (Samuel Armenteros).
