LA Galaxy @ Portland, July 14

[Timothy]

Hope I'm not encroaching on acosta19's forum territory by starting this thread. Just wanted to link this article regarding Portland Timbers coach John Spencer's departure.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-rough-stretch

I cannot imagine that their squad will bounce back within a week of this shake up, which bodes well for us on the weekend. Let's hope that Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers GM and current coach, doesn't discover Chelski (or Chelsea, if you please) manager Roberto Di Matteo's secrets.

[acosta19]

no worries man, we'll merge the threads.

It'll be interesting..Portland has been very bad away from JELD-WEN, at home they've been a regular team. Right now they stand second-to-last in the confernece, but just 4 points behind the Galaxy. LA has to win this game, if not Colorado can leap-frog them to reclaim the 5th spot. Colorado will be playing Dallas (last place).

[acosta19]

LA Galaxy @ Portland Timbers
Saturday, July 14, 2012
JELD-WEN Field
Kick-off: 8:00 p.m
Viewing Party: Buffalo Wild Wings



Led by Robbie Keane’s brace, the LA Galaxy snapped a two-game losing streak this past Sunday at Toyota Park, defeating the Chicago Fire 2-0. The Galaxy’s victory moved them to fifth place in the Western Conference. With his two goals this past weekend, Robbie Keane is now tied with Landon Donovan as the team’s leading goal scorers. A good performance from the backline allowed the Galaxy to earn their first shutout on the road.

After winning their first of three consecutive games on the road the Galaxy will face the Portland Timbers on Saturday night. This will be the third encounter between both Western Conference teams this season, with LA winning the previous two. The Galaxy will make their first and only visit to JELD-WEN Field this year, a place where the Portland Timbers have only lost twice this season. The difference JELD-WEN Field makes to the Timbers is not a surprise to anyone, as Portland has not been able to win a game away from home this year (only two victories last season). Ultimately, that cost John Spencer his job as Portland Timbers head coach. The Timbers lost their game this past weekend 3-0 at Rio Tinto against Real Salt Lake, leaving them second to last place in the Western Conference. While Portland will be under a new coach, the Galaxy will look for their first consecutive wins on the road this season. After missing the last two games, David Beckham will return from suspension but the Galaxy will be missing Juninho, who will have to serve a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation.

LA Galaxy:
23 points, 28 GF, 29 GA
7-10-2, 5th in Western Conference
Home Record: 4-5-1
Away Record: 3-5-1

Portland Timbers:
19 points, 16 GF, 24 GA
5-8-4, 8th in Western Conference
Home Record: 5-2-2
Away Record: 0-6-2

THIS IS LA!

Join ACB at the Viewing Party

[acosta19]

*can a mod merge this thread and tim's?

[Constant]

Nice writeup as usual. Hope Beckham had a nice break, and comes back strong. Should be a good place to pick up 3 points, even if its a tough atmosphere to play in.

[admin]

Do they already have a coach or not yet? LA needs to take advantage of this and come out with 3 points! #joeysab

[acosta19]

Gavin Wilkinson is their General Manager and interim coach

[miguel]

I don't think they will but I hope they don't start winning all of a sudden like other teams have done recently. Or at least wait til after our game.

[Bubba71]

Interesting fact, the Timbers have only won twice away from Jeld Wen.

Not this season, EVER.

I think th TA and their home field advantage is amazing, but you HAVE to win on the road to have a shot in this league. Unless they want to start buying home field advantage in the USOC like Seattle does they better figure out how to win when the crowd isn't so friendly.

I think we've got this. The stadium in Portland doesn't really intimidate like it did last year, I think other teams are over it. Last year if there was a game you could say we can go ahead and lose it was in Portland. This year we need it and I think we'll respond.

[aircanada12]

I like our chances in this one
team in disarray, Timbers Army not exactly the happiest of campers currently ect.
but then again nothing this season has been easy for the g's

------------------Saunders----------------
Dunivant---DeLaGarza--Gonzalez--Franklin
Magee-----Beckham----Juninho-----Jimenez
-------------Keane---Donovan-------------

I would like to see Walker, McBean, Villareal ect. get some time. I though Walker was very good in the Houston game, then he kind of disappeared off the face of the planet(hem hem sarvas like hem hem).
Omar probably will start because he didnt start against Chicago, also Boyens is returning to form but im not sure he's going to play again this season with our defensive log jams, but the less we see of Lopes the better

2-1 galaxy

[acosta19]

I'm not sure if we want Omar to start..or even play on that pitch.

We know how small fields give the Galaxy trouble, hopefully they're able to come out on top.

[miguel]

Yeah idk about Omar starting either, isn't jeld-wen turf? I don't think they should risk it, also at bc place if that's turf as well.

Saunders
Franklin AJ Lopes Dunivant
Beckham Sarvas Juninho Magee
Keane Donovan

Subs: Perk, Gaul, Meyer, Jordan, Jimenez, Barrett, McBean

That's what I would like to see. Sarvas is a turf guy. Hopefully McBean gets minutes and bitch slaps that guy who got him last time.

[acosta19]

Juninho's suspended for Saturday

[aircanada12]

which means that Sarvas is a lock to start

[miguel]

Juninho's suspended for Saturday

Jimenez on the right, Magee on the left, Beckham and Sarvas in the middle, and noonan on the bench.