Portland Timbers (6, 3, 2, 20 points) vs LA Galaxy (5, 7, 1, 16 points)
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon 2:00 PM PST/ 5:00 PM EST
Portland Timbers at a glance
The Portland Timbers are enjoying a magnificent run after their last week win in Colorado. Their victory in the Rocky Mountains extended their positive run to six consecutive wins. However, in the eyes and mind of its manager nothing has been achieved as his goals despite being meet slowly but surely. For him by applying more hard work on his group maybe his goals of his blueprint envisioned will deliver results of this 2018 campaign.
After netting two important wins on the road and in venues once tough to get encouraging results. This squad under manager Savarese has seen a total transformation for the better. Especially if this campaign the Portland Timbers can finish with a positive record on the road. So far, with a perfect 4-0 record at home and seen as an all-around armada. Once again, the Rose City Boys are putting at risk their undefeated run.
If you recall the Angelinos and Rose City Boys opened the season at Tinsel Town and these delivered an upset with a 2-1 win. That was then and now is a different story when the Portland squad is now embroiled under a magnificent run. As well seeing a new level of confidence and a renewed game filled with a united and a disciplined Portland Initial eleven. Despite the Galaxy loss Wednesday against FC Dallas, anything can happen.
For sure Giovanni Savarese will send his usual 4-3-2-1 formation against the visiting Galaxy and their new Talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the attack. This will be a new test for the Timbers renewed and much more confident defensive backfield.
GK Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell, Larry’s Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin, defensive midfielder Cristhian Paredes, Diego Chara, Andres Flores, offensive midfielders Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Forward Samuel Armenteros
LA Galaxy at a glance
For manager Sigi Schmid after seeing his squad fall at home against a hardened FC Dallas side this is a big match to turn things around. Despite his main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivering two goals in the 69 and 97 minutes in the end the Angelinos rally fell short. Before this midweek match, Schmid and company were enjoying a two game winning streak over Montreal and San Jose. But the loss against Dallas exposed their lack of depth something that will play a factor on Saturday. Coming into this match the Galaxy are missing three of its most important players to recent call-ups to their national teams.
Giovanni Dos Santos and Jonathan Dos Santos (Mexico) and Ola Kamara (Norway) are playing with their respective teams and will not be making the trip to Portland.
Still for Sigi Schmid, this would not deter his plans of delivering an all-around upset over the Portland Timbers at home. Where the local Rose City Boys are looking like a force not to be mess. The aim of the Galaxy is to neutralize the Portland attack now with Armenteros starting as the Timbers lone attacker. This will be a test for the Angelinos backfield to stop not only the Swede but the Timbers dynamic duo of Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco as well.
For sure, this game will see a duel between Sigi and Gio, as the German has the edge with a game won on March 4 of this year. Schmid has several weapons in his arsenal that he will for sure use to improvise a defensive game in his initial eleven to counter the momentum their nemesis Portland Timbers are enjoying.
For this match Schmid will use a 4-2-3-1 formation to stop the Portland Timbers dynamic and much improved game.
GK David Bingham, Daniel Steres, Michael Ciani, Jorgen Skjelvik, Ashley Cole, defensive midfield Sebastian Lletget, Perry Kitchen, offensive midfield Chris Pontius, Romain Alessandrini, Emmanuel Boateng. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic
2017 Meetings
August 6 POR 3- 1 LAG
March 12 LAG 0- 1 POR
Overall Series Record
Portland Timbers 6 wins, 3 losses and 2 ties
LA Galaxy 5 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie
Prediction: Portland by a goal
LA Galaxy
Portland
