Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy will have an
opportunity to take maximum points from the Portland Timbers this season when
the two clubs meet at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday.
Bruce Arena's side picked up its first win of the season with a 3-1 defeat of
the Timbers on April 14. It went on to edge the Rose City club once more with
a 1-0 victory on June 17. Both wins came at The Home Depot Center.
Now, the Galaxy head to the Pacific Northwest looking to preserve their
perfect record against the Timbers this season.
"It's certainly going to be a big week for us," Robbie Keane said after team
training Thursday. "These are the games where you need your whole squad of
players to come together. It's important everybody's ready."
Los Angeles follows up its meeting with Portland with crucial Western
Conference matches against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA, but Jeld-Wen
awaits the Galaxy for their third meeting with the Timbers this term.
The Timbers have endured a sub par season to this point given the club's
expectations of challenging for a playoff spot. Portland finds itself second
from bottom in the West with 19 points on the season, just three points clear
of last-place FC Dallas.
With that in mind, the front office relieved John Spencer of his coaching
duties earlier in the week.
"It's a difficult thing for them to process," Landon Donovan said of
Portland's coaching vacancy. "But that team plays well at home. No matter
who's coaching, they're going to be ready to play at home."
Portland's recent home contest yielded a surprise result as the Timbers
claimed a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
If a home win against the best side in MLS was attainable for the Rose City
club, then three points against the reigning champions may not be out of the
question.
The Sports Network