LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers: Neville demands in-form visitors remain grounded

Phil Neville has urged the Portland Timbers to remain grounded as they look to continue their upturn against the Western Conference’s outstanding team in the LA Galaxy.

The Timbers are seventh in the standings, occupying a playoff place, after recording an excellent 3-0 win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

That was their fifth win in their last six matches, the only blot on their record during that span being a 3-2 loss at FC Dallas.

With the Galaxy leading the way in the West, two points clear of Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake and 10 ahead of Portland, Neville knows Saturday’s match will be a real test.

“We’ve come off a really good weekend and we gave the players a couple of days off just to regroup,” Neville said this week. “This is the last push of this little section of the season.

“We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground, I think that’s really important, because there’s a lot of football still to be played.

“We are a team that has grown in confidence and got momentum but we can still improve, and this is a big test against one of the best teams in the conference.”

Timbers gone Timeless #RCTID x https://t.co/PrkS2jFNBp pic.twitter.com/Bzex7jBTaF

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) July 16, 2024

The Galaxy, who beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 in their last match on Wednesday, could be set to receive a major boost with former Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus in talks regarding a move.

While the deal is not yet done, head coach Greg Vanney knows what the German would bring to California.

“Anyone that we hopefully add in the summer window is somebody who can continue to make the team better,” Vanney said shortly before the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opened.

“A player of his profile gives you experience, gives you quality, it gives you versatility, also a winning mentality, a championship mentality.

“Those types of things are always good for teams.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Pec has contributed to a goal in 10 straight home matches (eight goals, eight assists), equalling Robbie Keane’s club-record mark set between 2012 and 2013.

He is the first player in team history to record a goal contribution in 10 straight home matches within a single season.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander recorded a goal and an assist in Portland’s win over Real Salt Lake last week, his fifth straight match with a goal contribution.

Only Diego Valeri (nine straight in 2017) has had a longer run of consecutive games with a goal contribution in the Timbers’ MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy are unbeaten in six straight meetings with the Timbers (three wins, three draws) though the last three meetings have all ended level.

This is the longest unbeaten run by either team against the other in all competitions since Portland joined MLS in 2011 (36 meetings).

With the Galaxy winning eight of their last 11 matches, the first time they have managed that many victories in an 11-game span since 2015, they are favourites to edge what should be an entertaining contest.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 48.7%

Portland Timbers – 25.6%

Draw – 25.7%