The only winless team in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer can end that slide on Sunday as the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park.
A late goal conceded in Texas last Saturday saw the Galaxy lose 1-0 to Austin FC, while the Timbers claimed a 3-3 draw with Los Angeles FC.
Match preview
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From first to worst in MLS, it has been a monumental fall for Los Angeles, who are at the bottom of the league standings with just three points after nine matchdays.
It is to be expected to have some early trouble following an MLS Cup triumph, but to be struggling as much as they are heading into matchday 10, even with their key injuries, is beyond what anybody would have anticipated.
Greg Vanney's men have scored a mere six goals in the competition this year, the second-fewest in the Western Conference, while their goal differential of -10 is the worst in MLS.
In seasons past, their subpar backline was compensated by a strong and dynamic attack, but without that, their poor defence has been magnified even more, with this team currently boasting the second-highest expected goals conceded rate (17.8) in the league this year.
After failing to lose a single regular-season outing at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2024, the Galaxy have just one point in four domestic matches played in Carson this year, netting a mere two goals over that stretch.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have points in their last four home matches against the Timbers, winning 3-2 in this exact fixture a season ago.
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After a difficult opening to the 2025 MLS campaign, Portland seem to have rediscovered the scoring touch that made them one of the league's most exciting teams last year.
Phil Neville's men netted a goal or fewer in their first four league matches this season but have scored three or more in four of their previous five MLS affairs heading into this weekend.
The Timbers have points in six consecutive domestic contests, putting them fourth in the Western Conference table, with just a single point separating themselves from Austin in second.
A win or draw this weekend would equal the Portland Timbers' longest unbeaten run in the competition from the 2024 MLS campaign (seven).
Dating back to the previous regular season, they have points in six of their last seven away matches in this competition, collecting a 4-2 triumph in their previous road fixture at Sporting Kansas City.
Portland have picked up at least a point in five of their last six meetings with the Galaxy but have not beaten them at Dignity Health Sports Park since 2020 (6-3).
Team News
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Los Angeles were once again minus Riqui Puig last weekend as he is still recovering from a knee injury, while Maya Yoshida sat out with a hamstring strain.
In their defeat to Austin, John Nelson collected his 100th regular-season cap, Eriq Zavaleta made his first appearance for LA since March 2024 and Mauricio Cuevas featured for the first time in the 2025 MLS campaign.
Mathias Jorgensen, who was forced out last week for the Galaxy because of a red card suspension, will be eligible to return to the fold on Sunday.
Two new faces were in the Portland starting 11 last week who did not begin their match against Sporting Kansas City, as Jimer Fory and Felipe Mora replaced Ian Smith and Kevin Kelsy.
Mora had the third brace of the 2025 regular season for Portland last weekend, with their other goal coming courtesy of Santiago Moreno.
The Chilean striker (Mora) is now third all-time regarding MLS goals for the Timbers with 43, as only Fanendo Adi (54) and Diego Valeri (86) have more.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Yamane, Garces, Jorgensen, Nelson; Parente, Cerrillo; Pec, Reus, Paintsil; Ramirez
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Mosquera, Surman, K. Miller, Fory; Chara, Ayala; Moreno, Da Costa, Antony; Mora
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 Portland Timbers
Both sides seem to throw caution to the wind and go for it, and we believe the reigning MLS Cup champions will finally catch a break against a team that have not improved much defensively from a year ago.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
