LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers (4/14)

[acosta19]

LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
The Home Depot Center
Kick-off: 7:30 p.m



“Well obviously I’m pretty sure they’re not popping champagne in there” said Bruce Arena of the locker room morale after another defeat this past Saturday. This time, the Galaxy was defeated by Sporting KC, falling to a 1-3-0 record. Though the team is a game behind most of the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy is currently in last place with only three points after four games. It’s been a tough start for the 2011 MLS Cup Champions, who are currently in the second worst start to a season in the team’s history. For the first time this season, LA was unable to score. Not only that, but the Galaxy left Kansas City without a single shot on goal. Going into that game, the LA was averaging 5.33 shots on goal per game. Since Bruce Arena took over the Galaxy in 2008, the team has never lost three games in a row.

On Saturday the Galaxy hosts the Portland Timbers at the Home Depot Center. Neither club has been performing as well as they were expected to before the season got underway. Portland was also defeated this past Saturday, losing at home to Chivas USA. After five games, the Timbers have four points, recording a draw, a win, and three defeats. The Timbers, winless in their last four, head to Southern California to try to get their first three points on the road, while the LA Galaxy look to snatch their own two-game losing streak. Since becoming part of MLS last season, Portland has been one of the worst teams away from home, getting two victories in nineteen games. Last April they fell 3-0 to LA at the HDC. Undefeated at home all throughout last year, the Galaxy has fallen twice so far this season.


LA Galaxy:
3 points, 5 GF, 8 GA
1-3-0, 8th in Western Conference
Home Record: 1-2-0
Away Record: 0-1-0

Portland Timbers:
4 points, 7 GF, 8 GA
1-3-1, 7th in Western Conference
Home Record: 1-2-0
Away Record: 0-1-1

THIS IS LA!

Join Us:
LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers Weekend Festivities

[jrichardson25]

Great preview. I'd like to say that we stand a better chance. Portland is at our level right now and I expect a solid showing. Doesn't mean a win or a tie but it does mean that we should show improvement. Hopefully the issues from last Saturday have been taken into consideration and that will show how the team will perform. I expect with the move of Cardozo that we won't see issues in the midfield (I've been wrong on that one all season so far...). Defense with Meyer in the back looked better, hopefully they will have a solid time to train this week and Meyer will continue to improve. All we need right now is to connect and the top third get scoring opportunities....

[MotorJohn]

Wonder if they'll start lopes? The line up against KC should be put out on the field, they are the best team we will probably play this year and we could have tied that game!

[Doughboy]

Any word on how many heads the TA is bringing?? Were they also given a certain number of tickets like they gave us 129 when we go up there in July?? The Galaxy website has a offer going on saying, "They're bringing friends...Are you?"

[mfterich]

I am not sure if it is too soon to begin making lineups for this Saturday but, here it goes:

GK Saunders - had without a doubt his best game of the year, looks like he might be settling down a little.

LB Dunivant - has not been as steady as last season, in which he was the best fullback in MLS, but most of which can be blamed on the lack of defensive play by the midfield & his being forced to cover for mistakes in the center of defense.

CB AJ - the only reason we haven't allowed an MLS record for goals allowed.

CB Meyer - Boyens simply cannot play and needs to be let go; Lopes isn't ready to start in his first week with the club

RB BJ6 - Franklin has had a shocking start to the season and needs to take a seat to know that more is expected of him. Jordan is still coming back to full fitness, but starting him then bringing Franklin on as a sub might send a message

LM Lando - has shown with USMNT & Everton he can play wide left, plus it will allow him to cut in on his right foot and play off Keane on Robbie's preferred side

CM Marcelo - he was brought in for a reason and keeping with the idea of sending a message let's sit Juni for a match

CM Beckham - no S.O.G. against KC & no Golden Balls in that match is not a coincidence

RM Nakazawa - showed some skill at UCLA & with Philly providing service from the right side and centrally, can interchange with Becks between the middle and right wing and isn't too proud to play D & won't roll around after a challenge. He is also a local kid that might inject some passion

F Keano - only player that seems to give a damn in every game

F Barrett - does not have Buddle's talent but Edson needs to watch while running wind sprints on the touchline

Bench: Gaudette, Juninho, Magee, Franklin, Lopes, Noonan, Gaul

For the 2nd game in a row Bruce questioned our desire, heart, teamwork, etc. it is time for Bruce to rattle some cages and shake off the attitude of entitlement which seems to have infected this team like a virus.

[jrichardson25]

For the 2nd game in a row Bruce questioned our desire, heart, teamwork, etc. it is time for Bruce to rattle some cages and shake off the attitude of entitlement which seems to have infected this team like a virus.

That little bit says it all. They were comfortable and are now in a panic because they were going through the motions. Thank you for putting that into words...

[Constant]

That little bit says it all. They were comfortable and are now in a panic because they were going through the motions. Thank you for putting that into words...

Hopefully this can be a turning point where the team can get a solid win and get some confidence and then build on that. I suppose this is a reminder that the LAG have to really want a win.

[Steven15]

Hopefully this can be a turning point where the team can get a solid win and get some confidence and then build on that. I suppose this is a reminder that the LAG have to really want a win.

You gotta start building somwhere. Hopefully we WIN!!! I really Dislike Portland..

[miguel]

Seems like Bruce switches between boyens and meyer every game, but hopefully he starts meyer. Hell, right now I'd rather see lopes than boyens. I think we win this game, but no free chicken once again.

---------Saunders----------
Jordan-AJ-Meyer-dunivant
Franklin-Becks-Sarvas-Donovan
Barrett-Keane

[harry callahan]

^ thats the team i would play from the start.

[jrichardson25]

Hopefully this can be a turning point where the team can get a solid win and get some confidence and then build on that. I suppose this is a reminder that the LAG have to really want a win.

Agreed. (on another note... what camera setup are you using in that pic?)

Seems like Bruce switches between boyens and meyer every game, but hopefully he starts meyer. Hell, right now I'd rather see lopes than boyens. I think we win this game, but no free chicken once again.

---------Saunders----------
Jordan-AJ-Meyer-dunivant
Franklin-Becks-Sarvas-Donovan
Barrett-Keane

As long as Becks isn't having a bitch fit we're good. Something got lost in the shuffle when Sarvas came in last week... couldn't quite figure out what...( I assume it could be a language barrier... highly unlikely... as I believe I've heard him speak before and good English... just a thought)... as long as the team wants to push to the MLS Cup and actually defend the damn thing we'll be fine. I'm glad the league as a whole has stepped it up this year.

[MotorJohn]

Jordan?????? God no.

[acosta19]

Jordan?????? God no.

John is Jordan's #1 fan haha

I think the line-up could work..I don't think Lopes will start right away, he'll probably play in Monday's reserves game. Last season Franklin had a couple of good games playing in the midfield until he got injured.

We better win this game, we can say defense improved because we only gave up 1 goal against KC but honestly we should have lost by more... everyone needs to step it up.

[brla96]

At this point I don't really care who we field I just want a good result

In the words of Al Davis

"Just Win Baby"!!

[mfterich]

Jordan?????? God no.

I am not a BJ6 fan either, but Franklin needs to be shook up. Either moved to the right wing or sat.