There’s a storm brewing in Portland and the LA Galaxy are walking straight into it. Just one point separates third place Portland from fourth place LA and fifth place Colorado. With record rainfall and high-winds expected on Sunday, this match looks to be just as wild as the weather.
Portland and LA are meeting for the third time and last time this year. Their first contest end in a nil-nil draw and the second with Andrew Jean-Baptiste scoring a dramatic winner in stoppage time. Currently, both teams are on three game streaks in opposite directions. Portland is unbeaten in three for seven points and LA is winless in their last three for only two. Even with the Timbers recent success, they are earning just .04 more points per game than the Galaxy. This game is going to be tight regardless of form.
With no new injuries over the past week Portland’s roster is in good shape. Diego Valeri should return to his usual starting spot and Frederic Piquionne could find his way into the 18. There’s no reason for Piq to hurry though, as Caleb Porter has his choice of Ryan Johnson, Jose Adolfo Valencia, and Maximiliano Urruti as well. I would expect either RJ or Urruti to start and the other two to come in late.
The Galaxy have two injuries: AJ DeLaGarza and Robbie Rogers. On the flip-side though, Landon Donovan will likely return to the starting 11. Donovan should pair up with Robbie Keane in front; the two have combined for 21 goals and 19 assists so far this year. Their other main attacking threat is Gyasi Zardes who will play out on the wing and be looking to send balls in for either striker. Portland’s defense needs to be in top gear to counter these three.
I think the main concern for the Timbers is who starts at right back as they will be responsible for shutting down the speedy Zardes. Jack Jewsbury adds positioning, experience, leadership, and the ability to put rebounds back into the box. The younger Alvas Powell brings insane acceleration and high speed. Hands down, I prefer Powell. I think his speed works well with the Timbers attack and helps counter opposing breakaways.
The Great Wall of Gambia, Futty Danso and Pa Modou Kah are also going to be important. I like Futty taking AJB’s place here to give Portland some more defense against the aerial attack. Without Piquionne, crosses and set-pieces are a large threat. Even though AJB has been huge against the Galaxy this year, at the end of the season experience might be key.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Jack Jewsbury, Mamadou Danso, Pa Modou Kah, Michael Harrington; Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, Will Johnson; Darlington Nagbe, Ryan Johnson, Rodney Wallace
LA Galaxy: Jaime Penedo; Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, Todd Dunivant; Héctor Jiménez, Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Gyasi Zardes; Robbie Keane, Jose Villarreal
(image courtesy of David Blair)
