Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: BetUS
The only winless side in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer will look to break that streak on Sunday as the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome the Portland Timbers to Dignity Health Sports Park.
Last Saturday, the Galaxy suffered a 1-0 defeat to Austin FC after conceding a late goal, while the Timbers battled to a 3-3 draw against Los Angeles FC.
Los Angeles Galaxy
From top to bottom in the MLS, it has been a staggering decline for Los Angeles, who sit bottom of the league standings with just three points from nine matches.
Some early struggles were expected after an MLS Cup win, but their current troubles – even accounting for key injuries – have exceeded all expectations heading into matchday 10.
Greg Vanney’s side have managed only six goals in the competition this year, the second-fewest in the Western Conference, while their goal difference of -10 is the worst across MLS.
In previous seasons, a potent attack often masked defensive weaknesses, but without that attacking spark, their fragile backline has been brutally exposed, with the Galaxy posting the second-highest expected goals against (17.8) in the league so far.
After going unbeaten at Dignity Health Sports Park during the 2024 regular season, the Galaxy have just one point from four home games this year, scoring only twice across those matches.
However, they are unbeaten in their last four home meetings against the Timbers, including a 3-2 victory in this exact fixture last season.
Team News
Riqui Puig missed out again last weekend as he continues to recover from a knee injury, while Maya Yoshida was absent due to a hamstring strain.
In the loss to Austin, John Nelson made his 100th regular-season appearance, Eriq Zavaleta played for the first time since March 2024, and Mauricio Cuevas made his 2025 MLS season debut.
Mathias Jorgensen, who missed the Austin match due to suspension, will be available for selection again on Sunday.
Portland Timbers
After a challenging start to the 2025 MLS season, Portland appear to have regained the attacking form that made them one of the league’s most thrilling sides last year.
Phil Neville’s squad managed one goal or fewer in each of their first four league matches, but they have now scored three or more in four of their last five MLS outings heading into this weekend.
The Timbers are unbeaten in six straight domestic matches, sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings, just a single point behind second-placed Austin.
A win or draw this weekend would match the Timbers’ longest unbeaten run from the 2024 MLS season (seven games).
Dating back to last year, Portland have earned points in six of their last seven away matches, including a 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in their most recent road fixture.
The Timbers have taken at least a point in five of their last six meetings with the Galaxy, although they have not won at Dignity Health Sports Park since a 6-3 triumph in 2020.
Team News
Last weekend, two fresh faces appeared in Portland’s starting lineup, with Jimer Fory and Felipe Mora replacing Ian Smith and Kevin Kelsy.
Mora recorded his third brace of the 2025 MLS season in that match, with Santiago Moreno netting their other goal.
The Chilean forward now ranks third all-time in MLS goals for the Timbers, tallying 43—trailing only Fanendo Adi (54) and Diego Valeri (86).
Conclusion
Both teams tend to play with an attacking mindset, and the reigning MLS Cup champions will probably find some success against a side that have not shown much defensive improvement from last season.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: BetUS
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