After a few weeks off during the international break, with time to heal minds and bodies, the Portland Timbers return to the field on Saturday with a road match at the LA Galaxy.
Having lost three matches in a row, the Timbers (3-6-6, 15 points) sit in a tie with the San Jose Earthquakes for the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are just two points ahead of last-place Sporting Kansas City. The Galaxy (7-5-2, 23 points) are firmly in the playoff picture at fifth in the West, winners of two in a row before the break.
The Oregonian/OregonLive has Three Points to watch for Portland vs. LA Galaxy:
1. WELCOME BACK, FELIPE
Among the players returning from injury is top striker Felipe Mora, whose preseason arthroscopic knee surgery with an initial recovery prognosis of six weeks turned into four months on the sideline. Mora won’t start right out of the gate as he works his way back into match fitness, but Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese expects him to come off the bench and play a handful of minutes.
Eventually, if fully healthy and in form, Mora should inject some life into a striker position that has struggled to produce this season. His late appearance could be a difference-maker against the Galaxy in his season debut, too.
2. INJURIES? WHAT INJURIES?
Portland’s injury report for the final game of the first half against Miami included eight players, four of them starting caliber. Mora is back, but so is regular starter in his place Jaroslaw Niezgoda, midfielder Eryk Williamson and defender Claudio Bravo. Portland’s only player listed on the injury report ahead of Saturday is youngster David Gutierrez, who had season-ending foot surgery.
Much of Portland’s struggles down the stretch of the first half can be attributed to a lack of personnel, but it remains to be seen what the fully healthy Timbers are capable of this season. In the time leading up to the summer transfer window, it’s make or break time for many of Portland’s contributors as the team tries to climb out of the conference basement.
3. EXPECT FIREWORKS
The last five matchups between Portland and the LA Galaxy have averaged more than four goals per contest (4.4). The last matchup this season in Portland on April 3 was a 3-1 victory for the Galaxy. It shouldn’t be a scoreless draw, much to the delight of fans of both teams (particularly Timbers fans, who’ve seen far too many of those this season).
Can Portland flip the script and score in bunches while limiting the Galaxy’s dangerous attack? The answer will define the match and looms large as the Timbers try to get the second half of the season off to a positive start.
Portland vs. LA Galaxy kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday (TV on ESPN).
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com
