Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy: Preview and How to Watch
By Mark Shannon
Portland heads to LA looking to start the season 2-0 after first week win over Minnesota.
The Portland Timbers started the season with a 5-1 thumping of Minnesota in week 1. The LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to MLS Cup favorites FC Dallas. Timbers forward Fanendo Adi got off to a flying start with two goals in the season opener. While Diego Valeri registered two goals and an assist himself. Giovanni Dos Santos scored the lone goal for the Galaxy against Dallas last weekend.
While the Portland Timbers could not have asked for a better kickoff to their season, it will not be as easy against LA. Adi will look to keep up that goal scoring pace.
Timbers head to LA in search of another big win and three points
After starting off the regular season with a big 5-1 win over expansion side Minnesota United. They’ll head down the coast to take on the Galaxy at StubHub center. Adi, Valeri, and Sebastian all looked well together in their first competitive match together.
It’ll be a tougher test against LA, as they have more experience, especially on the ball. Careless turnovers by Minnesota in the midfield caused a couple goals last week. Portland probably won’t get that when they take on the Galaxy on Sunday.
Three keys to victory for Portland
1. Can Fanendo Adi keep scoring?
All he does is score. He’s scored 16 goals in each of his last two seasons and he’s already off to a great start with 2. With his two goals came against Minnesota he’ll be hoping stay hot this Sunday.
2. Can Blanco, Valeri, and Adi work well together again.
The trio worked very well together in their first game. While Valeri and Adi scored the goals Sebastian Blanco was the playmaker. With a tough defence and midfield in LA it’ll be vital these three play similar for them to have a chance at winning.
3. Can’t let last week’s win get to their head.
They may have beat up on Minnesota in the season opener, but it’ll be a tougher matchup this weekend. It being only the first game, against an expansion side ripe for the picking, it may have been a poor test of their overall quality. However, if they play like they did last weekend they’ll have a good shot at the three points in LA.
Projected XI @ LA Galaxy
LA looks to have a bounce back game in week 2 after devastating loss to FC Dallas
It was a tough start to the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The schedule goes LA no favors, after having to play FC Dallas last weekend, it’s another big test against the Timbers this weekend. After Portland dismantled Minnesota opening week things might not be looking good for the start of the Galaxy’s season.
1. Stop Valeri and Adi
Its plain and simple. These two are part of the dynamic trio that ran over Minnesota. So the midfield and defence are in for a rough game if they let them control the game. So stopping them will be a top priority. Without Jermaine Jones in the line-up with will be tough.
2. Romain Allessandrini
After coming over this off-season much is expected of the Italian. While it’ll take him a few games to adjust to the MLS, he looked right at home last week. Look for the Italian to assert himself a little more this game.
3. Better finishing
LA enjoyed most of the possession against Dallas at 65 percent. While they did have the most possession, they lacked the finishing punch. So they’ll need to control the possession game again against the Timbers, but hope to get more finishing, while still waiting for Zardes to return.
Projected XI vs Portland Timbers
Next: 2017 MLS Injury Update: Week 1
Where to Watch:
Portland: FS1-MLSLive
LA: FS1-MLSLive