Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Football Club | 2019 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2019 MLS Regular Season — Week 14
Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Football Club
Providence Park — Portland
June 1 - 10:30 PM ET

TV: ESPN2, TSN, ESPN Deportes

STREAMING: WatchESPN

The wait is over for the Portland Timbers, who officially end a 12-game road trip and open renovated Providence Park against Supporters' Shield-leading LAFC Saturday night.

After a slow start with five losses through their first six games, the Timbers (4-6-2) won four of their next six, including a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union last Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium. Brian Fernandez struck for a brace in a five-minute span during the first half and Diego Valeri put the game away with an insurance goal three minutes from full time.

Home or away, LAFC (10-1-4) can't stop winning. They opened up an eight-point gap in the Supporters' Shield standings with a 4-2 win over the visiting Montreal Impact last Friday at Banc of California Stadium. Christian Ramirez, Carlos Vela, Latif Blessing and Triston Blackmon scored to give the hosts a four-goal lead before the hour mark.

This is the second, and final, regular-season meeting after LAFC won 4-1 at home on March 10. Vela led the way with a goal and two assists, while the Timbers finished with 10 men after Diego Chara was sent off.

Portland Timbers

Injury Report:
- OUT: Aljaz Ivacic (GK) - left tibial stress fracture
- QUESTIONABLE: Jeremy Ebobisse (F) - left thigh injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Cristhian Paredes (M) - left thigh injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Sebastian Blanco (M)
International duty: None

Los Angeles Football Club

Injury Report:
- OUT: Steven Beitashour (D) - left hamstring strain
- OUT: Javier Perez (M) - left ACL tear
- QUESTIONABLE: Alejandro Guido (M) - right quad strain
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Walker Zimmerman (D)
International duty: None