Following back-to-back results against postseason contenders, the Portland Timbers return home Saturday to play host to Los Angeles FC at 7:30pm PT. Find five facts to set up the weekend's matchup.
Following back-to-back results against postseason contenders, the Portland Timbers return home Saturday to play host to Los Angeles FC at Providence Park; kickoff is 7:30pm PT at Providence Park.
Portland (7-11-9, 30pts) welcomes the reigning MLS Cup champion LAFC (11-8-7, 41pts) to the Rose City for the first and only time in the regular season. For the Timbers, Saturday's match is an opportunity to obtain valuable points at home in the on-going pursuit of a playoff spot – they enter the weekend just four points back of a playoff position in the Western Conference.
LAFC make their return to Portland for the first time since October, 2022. While in third place in the West, LAFC have had mixed results on the road of late with a 1-4-1 record away from home since June 14.
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Notes and stats to know ahead of Saturday's showdown with LAFC:
3
With his golazo against the Sounders, Evander has now registered a team-leading seven goals this season. Additionally, he now has recorded a goal contribution in three-straight matches between Aug. 26-Sept. 2, tallying two goals and an assist. He's heating up as the playoffs race intensifies.
189
The two sides met back in matchday 2 of the regular season in March down at BMO Stadium – 189 days ago. The Timbers assembled a two-goal second half, but fell, 3-2, in the end. Evander scored his first goal with the club in that match.
9
Trailing by two goals in Seattle, the Timbers tallied two goals in the second half to climb out of a deficit and earn a result. After coming on as a sub, Dairon Asprilla's goal on his first touch against the Sounders – coming just 23 seconds after entering the match – was the club's ninth goal via a substitute this season. Portland only trails St. Louis CITY (11) and Atlanta United (11) among league leaders in this category.
5
The Timbers are looking for regular-season win number five vs. LAFC to bring the regular-season series completely level (4-5-5). In the comfort of Providence Park, Portland has had the upper-hand, registering three victories with only two defeats and one draw against LAFC. In their last six encounters, the Timbers have outscored LAFC, 10-9, and even swept the season series in 2021.
