Portland Timbers: 5 must-watch matches in 2020 Season

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 06: Portland Timbers players, Sebastián Blanco (10), Larrys Mabiala (33), and Dairon Asprilla (27), lift their slab trophies during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Portland Timbers on October 06, 2019, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 06: Portland Timbers players, Sebastián Blanco (10), Larrys Mabiala (33), and Dairon Asprilla (27), lift their slab trophies during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Portland Timbers on October 06, 2019, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
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PORTLAND, OR – JUNE 01: LAFC forward Carlos Vela drives an attack challenged by Portland Timbers defender Jorge Vilafaña during the Los Angeles FC game against the Portland Timbers on June 01, 2019, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR – JUNE 01: LAFC forward Carlos Vela drives an attack challenged by Portland Timbers defender Jorge Vilafaña during the Los Angeles FC game against the Portland Timbers on June 01, 2019, at Providence Park in Portland, OR. (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Portland Timbers Vs Los Angeles FC

Providence Park; Sunday, August 30th, 6:00 PM

The dominance shown by Los Angeles FC in only their second-ever MLS season was the headline all year. They totaled the most regular-season points in MLS history, recorded a greater goal differential than any other team in MLS history. and featured the best individual season in MLS history.

The Portland Timbers were one of the few downsides to LAFC’s season, which included dealing with Zlatan dominance until the Conference Semi-Finals, losing to eventual champions in the Conference Finals. LAFC were dominant, and yet Portland gave them a run for their money.

After losing their first game of the season at home in Banc of California Stadium to Portland on July 10th in the U.S. Open Cup, LAFC will travel to Portland in late August, which could be a crucial match as both teams chase the playoff places in the West.

This is a big season in Portland. A renovated stadium to play a full season in, two new DPs and the pressure of two MLS Cup appearances in their first nine seasons in the league. Season number ten needs to bring results. And if it does, these five games will play a major part.