Afrigather 
Phil Neville has urged the Portland Timbers to stay grounded as they give the impression of being to proceed their upturn towards the Western Convention’s excellent group within the LA Galaxy.
The Timbers are seventh within the standings, occupying a playoff place, after recording a wonderful 3-0 win over high-flying Actual Salt Lake final Saturday.
That was their fifth win of their final six matches, the one blot on their document throughout that span being a 3-2 loss at FC Dallas.
With the Galaxy main the best way within the West, two factors away from Los Angeles FC and Actual Salt Lake and 10 forward of Portland, Neville is aware of Saturday’s match shall be an actual check.
“We’ve come off a extremely good weekend and we gave the gamers a few days off simply to regroup,” Neville mentioned this week. “That is the final push of this little part of the season.
“We’ve received to maintain our toes on the bottom, I feel that’s actually necessary, as a result of there’s a variety of soccer nonetheless to be performed.
“We’re a group that has grown in confidence and received momentum however we will nonetheless enhance, and this can be a large check towards the most effective groups within the convention.”
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 of their final match on Wednesday, may very well be set to obtain a serious increase with former Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus in talks relating to a transfer.
Whereas the deal shouldn’t be but performed, head coach Greg Vanney is aware of what the German would carry to California.
“Anybody that we hopefully add in the summertime window is anyone who can proceed to make the group higher,” Vanney mentioned shortly earlier than the MLS Secondary Switch Window opened.
“A participant of his profile offers you expertise, offers you high quality, it offers you versatility, additionally a successful mentality, a championship mentality.
“These kinds of issues are all the time good for groups.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Pec has contributed to a purpose in 10 straight dwelling matches (eight objectives, eight assists), equalling Robbie Keane’s club-record mark set between 2012 and 2013.
He’s the primary participant in group historical past to document a purpose contribution in 10 straight dwelling matches inside a single season.
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander recorded a purpose and an help in Portland’s win over Actual Salt Lake final week, his fifth straight match with a purpose contribution.
Solely Diego Valeri (9 straight in 2017) has had an extended run of consecutive video games with a purpose contribution within the Timbers’ MLS historical past.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy are unbeaten in six straight conferences with the Timbers (three wins, three attracts) although the final three conferences have all ended degree.
That is the longest unbeaten run by both group towards the opposite in all competitions since Portland joined MLS in 2011 (36 conferences).
With the Galaxy successful eight of their final 11 matches, the primary time they’ve managed that many victories in an 11-game span since 2015, they’re favourites to edge what must be an entertaining contest.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy – 48.7%
Portland Timbers – 25.6%
Draw – 25.7%
