Match Preview & Discussion Thread: Timbers vs. Galaxy

Back at home against the spiraling defending champs

The Portland Timbers are back home at Providence Park for a Sunday matinee against the Los Angeles Galaxy, with kickoff set for 1:45 p.m. PT (streaming on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, broadcast on FOX and FOX Deportes).

Can Portland bounce back from the loss in Nashville against the reeling defending MLS Cup champs? Here’s what to watch for, and your spot to discuss the match.

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Photo Credit: Kelsey Baker

Preview

Formational shift?

My colleague Alex Barnes wrote a lot more about this, but the Timbers might be in line to roll out a different formation this afternoon. Based on the personnel they (finally) have available, as well as the dismal offensive output from the 3-4-3 formation, today could be the first day Phil Neville’s side rolls out the familiar 4-2-3-1.

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The benefits of such a shift would be many, and the main one would be to move David Da Costa more centrally. The “Cheeky Little Chappie” hasn’t been able to influence games much from his positioning on the wing, and would very much benefit from a shift to where he can get more touches on the ball. Giving Da Costa more opportunities to utilize his dribbling and skill seems to be the clearest way to get Portland’s offense moving again.

Feed the strikers

The Timbers were shutout for the first time last week, and it reinforced the point that so far in 2025 Portland’s offense has been abysmal. With just two goals to their name — none of them from their center strikers — the vaunted offensive production of last season feels dead and gone.

It can’t be solved in one weekend, but today could be a step towards getting things right. A big way to do that is to get the likes of Kevin Kelsy and Felipe Mora more quality service. Too often those forwards would have to drop deep to receive the ball, heading the opposite direction the Timbers need them to go. Getting the ball to better spots (see previous Da Costa point) and moving the ball to the strikers in the box feels like the main path towards goals.

Collapsing Galaxy

For as much as the Timbers have struggled, may I present the Los Angeles Galaxy as a much worse example. The 2024 MLS Cup champions have been in hell so far in 2025, going pointless through three matches. Their offensive production has been even worse than Portland’s, as they tallied just a single goal so far this season. A bevy of injuries and departed players have had them hamstrung from the jump, making last year’s triumph feel like a far-off memory.

But as we saw last weekend, past should have no precedent for Portland. The Galaxy still have dangerous players, like Gabriel Pec and Marco Reus, and they will be absolutely desperate to find a positive result. Portland will once again have to not underestimate their opponent, and take advantage of the chances they have. The Galaxy have conceded five goals in their past two games, and Portland would do well to focus on piling on the pain.

Match Thread

Get in the comments below to discuss the latest attempt to Beat LA!