PORTLAND TIMBERS vs LA GALAXY
PROVIDENCE PARK, Portland, Ore.
March 15, 2015 (WEEK 2, MLS Game #17)
4 p.m. PT (FS1; FOX Deportes)
A compelling matchup in the Western Conference highlights Week 2 of the new season when the Portland Timbers meet the LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon at Providence Park. The Timbers started off their new season with a point, playing to a scoreless draw in front of their Rose City faithful last weekend. The Galaxy opened defense of their MLS Cup title on the right note, easing to a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire at StubHub Center in the first game of the year.
• The Timbers picked up right where they left off in 2014, reaching a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake in the season opener at Providence Park. The Timbers concluded last season with a 304-minute shutout streak; they now have recorded clean sheets in four consecutive league matches.
• LA Galaxy midfielder Jose Villarreal scored the first goal in the MLS season, netting the opener midway through the second half as the Galaxy began their defense of the MLS Cup title with a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire on Friday evening.
• The Galaxy have won the last two meetings between the clubs, both coming at StubHub Center. The Galaxy have never lost to the Timbers in Carson, with five wins in six matches there all-time.
• The Timbers had won two home meetings in a row with the Galaxy before the clubs played to a 1-1 draw in their only match at Providence Park last year.
REFEREE: Hilario Grajeda. AR1 (bench): Paul Scott; AR2 (opposite): Felisha Mariscal; 4th: Baboucarr Jallow
MLS Career: 119 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 20; pens: 20
SUSPENDED: none
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (11 meetings): Timbers 3 wins, 14 goals … Galaxy 5 wins, 19 goals … Ties 3
AT PORTLAND (5 meetings): Timbers 3 wins, 10 goals … Galaxy 1 win, 7 goals … Ties 1
RETURN MATCHES: 6/24: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers, 8 p.m. PT (ESPN2); 10/18: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers, tbd (FS1)
LAST YEAR (MLS)
5/11: POR 1, LA 1 (Valeri 95+ – Keane 92+)
7/4: LA 2, POR 2 (Sarvas 65; own goal 86 – Valeri 67; Villafana 70)
8/2: LA 3, POR 1 (Zardes 48+; Keane 73, 85 – Valeri 14)
• The Galaxy have won the last two meetings between the clubs, both coming at StubHub Center. The Galaxy have never lost to the Timbers in Carson, with five wins in six matches there all-time.
• The Timbers had won two home meetings in a row with the Galaxy before the clubs played to a 1-1 draw in their only match at Providence Park last year.
• Coaches record: Caleb Porter vs. LA: P6 W2 L1 D3 … Bruce Arena vs. POR: P11 W5 L3 D3
CHECK OUT THE INJURY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
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