On Thursday night, LAFC and the Portland Timbers meet in a match which will determine first place in Group F. Here are three things to watch for.
Group F, dubbed as the group of death before the MLS is Back Tournament commenced, culminates on Thursday night with a terrific clash between two heavyweights. The Portland Timbers lead the group entering the final matchday but they must now avoid defeat to Los Angeles FC to secure topping the group.
LAFC were one of the favorites to win the MLS is Back Tournament, but after an opening draw with the Houston Dynamo, it appears they may not be as dominant as first thought. They were able to recover by pummeling their rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy, 6-2 which put their offensive might on full display, and they will certainly give Portland a tough test on Thursday.
Here are three things to watch for.
3. Can Timbers keep up?
LAFC are a goal machine. They have already scored nine goals in two games. The LA Galaxy could not match their offensive firepower and it cost them dearly in the blowout loss to their in-city rivals. For the Dynamo, three goals to hand them a 3-1 lead was enough to hold onto a draw.
The Timbers will need to do exactly what the Dynamo did: exploit a potentially vulnerable LAFC defense and take advantage of their opportunities when they come. They have the ability to get a result. Diego Valeri is dangerous as ever, Sebastian Blanco remains a menace in wide areas, while Jeremy Ebobisse has scored two goals already.
Even without Carlos Vela in tow, LAFC will score prolifically. It is simply what they do, with Diego Rossi and Bradley Wright-Phillips leading the charge. But the Timbers will have chances to keep pace at the other end. Whether they can be clinical enough to take them, however, remains to be seen.