MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2016
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: StubHub Center (Carson, Calif.)
Forecast: Rainy, 62 degrees
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Michael Kampmeinert, Frank Anderson Fourth Official: Kevin Scott
National TV: FOX Sports 1
Talent: John Strong (play-by-play), Alexi Lalas (analyst), Julie Stewart-Binks (reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will face the LA Galaxy in a nationally televised match on Sunday, April 10, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Entering the weekend, the Timbers have lost just twice against the Galaxy in their last nine regular-season meetings, compiling a 3-2-4 record since June 19, 2013. After opening the season with a 4-1 win over D.C. United at the StubHub Center, the Galaxy (2-1-1, 7pts) suffered their first defeat of the season in a 1-0 loss against the Colorado Rapids on the road, before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Most recently, the Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 2.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Timbers were unable to overcome a two-goal halftime deficit on the road, falling 4-1 to Orlando City SC on April 3 in front of 31,114 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
Making their first trip to the Citrus Bowl, the Timbers (1-2-1, 4pts) surrendered a pair of goals in each half, while forward Jack McInerney scored his second goal for the Timbers and the 40th of his MLS career late in the second half.
LAST TIME VS. LA GALAXY
The Portland Timbers netted five goals, including four from different players, in a span of 25 minutes in the second half en route to a 5-2 win against the LA Galaxy in front of 27,000 fans at the StubHub Center on Oct. 18, 2015, in Carson, Calif.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
The Timbers have lost just twice against the Galaxy in their last nine regular-season meetings, compiling a 3-2-4 record since June 19, 2013. In their most recent match on Oct. 18, 2015, Portland secured its first win at the StubHub Center, scoring five goals in the second half to defeat the Galaxy, 5-2.
The five-goal performance from Portland signified the first time the Timbers have registered five goals in a half in MLS play.
Sunday’s match marks the first of two scheduled meetings between Portland and LA this season. In Carson, Calif., the Timbers have earned at least one point in three of the last five regular-season matches since 2013 (1-2-2).
SCOUTING LA GALAXY
Through four games played, the LA Galaxy (2-1-1) currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. After opening the season with a convincing 4-1 win over D.C. United at the StubHub Center, the Galaxy suffered their first defeat of the season in a 1-0 loss against the Colorado Rapids on the road, before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at home. Most recently, LA secured a 0-0 draw on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 2. Midfielder Mike Magee, who returned to the club during the 2015 offseason after previously playing for the Chicago Fire, leads the team in goals (2), assists (2) and shots (8).
Led by head coach Bruce Arena, the Galaxy added 10 players to their roster during the offseason, including former Netherlands Men’s National Team player Nigel De Jong and former England Men’s National Team player Ashley Cole, to play alongside midfielder Steven Gerrard and forward Giovanni dos Santos.
TIMBERS TRACK RECORD
Since the 2013 campaign, the Timbers are 13-3-10 overall immediately following a loss.
In the last three seasons, Portland has lost just 27 times in 106 league matches (42-27-37 overall). That is the fewest amount of defeats during that span. The Timbers lost just five matches in 2013, which is tied for the fewest losses in a 34-game schedule in MLS history
FACING THE GALAXY
Timbers defender Nat Borchers and midfielder Jack Jewsbury both rank in the top 10 among active players for regular-season games played against the Galaxy. Borchers, who has played 323 games (322 starts) in MLS, ranks second with 30 all-time appearances against LA, while Jewsbury ranks fourth with 24 all-time appearances against the Galaxy.
Additionally, since joining MLS in 2014, Timbers forward Fanendo Adi has scored four goals in five games played against LA Galaxy, ranking eighth all-time among active players for goals scored against the Galaxy. Adi recorded all four goals during the 2015 season, marking the most goals by a single player against the Galaxy during that season.
DEFENSIVE STALWART
Entering the weekend, Midfielder Diego Chara is ranked seventh in MLS for tackles won. In four games played this season, the Colombian midfielder has played the full 90 minutes in each game. Chara has also earned MLS Team of the Week honors, after logging five tackles, four interceptions and nine ball recoveries on March 6 against Columbus Crew SC.
PRECISE PASSING
The Portland Timbers currently rank fourth in MLS for passing accuracy, connecting 80 percent of their passes. In four games played, the Timbers have made 1,559 passes. Additionally, Portland midfielder Darlington Nagbe ranks eighth in the league for passes completed (211).
AWAY FORM
Timbers forward Jack McInerney is ranked 11th among active MLS players for goals on the road (13). After scoring in his debut with Portland on March 13, McInerney added to his away tally when he scored the team’s lone goal against Orlando City at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on April 3.
OFFENSIVE PRESSURE
Through four games played, the Portland Timbers rank first in MLS for chances created (62). Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri is also currently tied with Toronto FC midfielder Sebastian Giovinco for the most shots taken in MLS so far this season (21). In addition, Valeri leads the league in corners taken (34).
ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
The Timbers know how to put on a show for national television - combining with opponents for an average of 3.04 goals per game on national broadcasts since the 2011 season.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Diego Valeri has scored 24 times for the Timbers. Following his next finish, Valeri will move into a tie for seventh place across all eras (since 1975).
Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey currently ranks fifth in Portland history (since 1975) for shutouts. With his next clean sheet, Kwarasey will be tied for fourth place with Mick Poole and Josh Wicks on the Timbers all-time shutout list.
Additionally, with his next victory, Kwarasey will move into fifth place for goal- keeper wins in Portland history across all eras (since 1975).
Following his next assist, midfielder Diego Chara will move into a tie for 13th place for assists with Brian Grant (1977-1982) and Stuart Lee (1980-1928) across all eras (since 1975).
With his next assist, midfielder Jack Jewsbury will rank 11th across all eras (since 1975) in Timbers history.
