Sunday, November 8, 2020
3:30 p.m. PT
TV: FS1, FOX Deportes,
Radio: ESPN LA 710AM, ESPN App, KFWB 980 AM
After a challenging week where the Black & Gold confirmed three positive cases among its player group and had to postpone its Sunday October 31st matchup at the San Jose Earthquakes, the Club finally had its due in the rescheduled edition Wednesday night. However, in the days prior LAFC couldn’t conduct group training because of the added safety protocols and it showed, coming out flat and dropping the match 3-2 against a San Jose team that had a little extra wind in their sails as they fought for MLS Cup Playoff contention.
“This was not our best game, no doubt about that,” said LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley. “The rhythm of the game when you play [San Jose] is always a little bit different. I thought we adjusted after the first half and had more control, but all in all it was still not as good as we liked.”
Up next for LAFC, the day the entire league has hoped would eventually come in this topsy turvy year, MLS Decision Day. With playoff positioning and Diego Rossi’s potential Golden Boot award at stake, the Black & Gold will have to push through the challenge of last week and find their footing as the playoffs edge ever closer.
These two sides have been well acquainted with one another this season, with this upcoming match being their fourth meeting of the compressed 2020 season. Amidst all the year’s challenges, LAFC has had the slight edge, beating Portland 4-2 on September 13th and drawing the others. History was made on the LAFC side in their last match, a 1-1 draw, when Christian Torres became the fifth-youngest player to score in MLS history, at 16 years, 186 days. These two have found on-pitch rivals in one another as well, with several spats in prior matches in their all-time series matchup that currently sits at 3-1-3.
Portland comes into this match after seeing their hold on the top of the Western Conference table slip with a tough 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids Wednesday night. Prior to their last match, Portland was surging, going unbeaten in four with wins over Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps as they looked to lock in homefield advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Timbers currently sit in second place in the West with a record of 11-6-5 (1.73ppg, 38 pts).
With the 4-8 seeds in the Western Conference up for grabs Sunday, it’s imperative for LAFC to pick up three points to set themselves up for success in the playoffs moving forward. The Club currently sits in sixth place with a record of 9-8-4 (1.48 ppg, 31pts).
PORTLAND IN-DEPTH
A dangerous, experienced squad with dangerous midfielders in Diego Valeri and the emergence of Eryk Williamson that can cause havoc on opposition with their passing ability. One of the top set-piece attacking teams, a space LAFC continues to struggle in. A club with one of the tougher midfields to advance through, though the absence of Diego Chara who has created problems for LAFC in the past will be an interesting element to look out for.
COME TOGETHER RIGHT NOW
Injuries, COVID-19 challenges, international breaks. The Club has seen it all this year, but there is no time better than now to batten down the hatches and forge ahead. With reigning MLS MVP Carlos Vela likely back in the starting lineup and (for the most part) the regular starting lineup in-tact, even if the Club doesn’t take three points from this match, it’s crucial that they find their groove, their football, before the do-or-die MLS Cup Playoffs are here. Bob Bradley stressed this point after a less than satisfying win against Houston two matches ago, adding, “You've really got to try to hit the playoffs with confidence, with sharpness and with a mentality that we're a team that's going to fight every game, play our football, compete, and try to move and get ourselves to a final and win an MLS Cup.”
LAFC WILL WIN IF…
The Club’s “big three” of Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Brian Rodríguez can create and finish dangerous chances, especially without the force in the middle that is Diego Chara, they will find success. AGAIN, as is tradition, LAFC must clean up the set piece defending.
PORTLAND CAN WIN IF…
Eryk Williamson can step up and fill the void left by Diego Chara, along with getting a little help filling the gaps on the defensive end, they can find success.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
- Golden Boot foot race: With 14 goals, Diego Rossi is in position to finish as the league's top goal scorer and will have one more chance Sunday to build on his lead. Behind him, the Columbus Crew SC's Gyasi Zardes (11 goals), Chicago's Robert Beric (11 goals) and Seattle's Raul Ruidiaz (11 goals).
- Chara out: Diego Chara will be out for this match as a result of him being suspended for caution accumulation. Portland has played 14 games in the last three seasons without him and of those, they have only won one.
- No. 1 seed: Sporting Kansas City (1.80 ppg), Portland Timbers (1.73 ppg), and the Seattle Sounders (1.71 ppg) are fighting for top of the West and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Sporting hold the edge and head to Utah to face a Real Salt Lake team that has already been eliminated.
