MatchDay: Timbers at LA Galaxy

PORTLAND TIMBERS AT LA GALAXY

When/where: 8 p.m. today at Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

TV: Live on Fox Soccer Channel (Comcast cable Ch. 401).

Radio: FM 95.5 (AM 940 Spanish broadcast).

Records: Portland 2-2-1, 7 points (fifth in Western Conference). Los Angeles 3-1-3, 12 points (second in Western Conference).

PROJECTED TIMBERS STARTERS

Forwards: Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza.

Midfielders: Kalif Alhassan, Jack Jewsbury, James Marcelin, Jeremy Hall.

Defenders: Rodney Wallace, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Eric Brunner, Steve Purdy.

Goalkeeper: Troy Perkins.

Key alternatives: MF/F Darlington Nagbe, F Eddie Johnson, MF Adam Moffat, MF Ryan Pore, MF Sal Zizzo, D Kevin Goldthwaite, GK Jake Gleeson.

ABOUT LOS ANGELES

One of the original 10 MLS franchises, the Galaxy won the MLS Cup in 2002 and 2005, and have lost in the final four times (three of those in overtime or PKs). They played their home matches at the Rose Bowl until the Home Depot Center opened in 2003. The signing of David Beckham in 2007 was the most high-profile in MLS history. Beckham is in the final year of a five-year MLS contract, so there is some pressure to win now in L.A. Last season, the Galaxy won the Supporters’ Shield with the best regular season record.

THE MATCHUP

Watch for: The demeanor of the Timbers. Spurred by their spirited home fans last week, the Timbers attacked from the outset and built early leads they held onto for wins over Chicago and Dallas. Will Portland play with the same assertiveness in a road game against the star-studded Galaxy?

Star power: David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Juninho, Juan Pablo Angel. The Galaxy have some of the most accomplished and recognizable players in MLS. They are coached by former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena. Several of those stares, including Beckham and Donovan, are expected to play today after missing several games because of injuries or suspensions.

Player to watch: F/MF Donovan. Considered by many — including Timbers coach John Spencer — to be the best American player in the sport, at age 29 Donovan is in the prime of his career.

NOTABLE

• Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson won his second MLS save of the week award for his extra-time stop against Dallas’ David Ferreira to preserve Sunday’s 3-2 win. Gleeson’s save got 70 percent of fans online votes. The rookie from New Zealand also won the award in Week 2 of the season.

• Portland forward Jorge Perlaza won the MLS AT&T Goal of the Week in fan voting. Perlaza’s scored the first goal in Portland’s MLS home debut on April 14. His goal, which included a nifty stop and turn, got 32 percent of the fans’ votes.

• Despite Gleeson’s strong play, don’t be surprised if the 20-year-old is on the bench today. Veteran Troy Perkins, one of the Timbers’ top preseason acquisitions, has trained all week. If fit, figure Perkins gets the assignment.

• Several Galaxy players have connections with Portland. Reserve Bryan Jordan (2007-08) and reserve goalkeeper Josh Saunders (2003-06) both played with the Division 2 version of the Timbers. Forward Chad Barrett attended Southridge High School in Beaverton.

• The Timbers and Galaxy reserve teams open their seasons on Sunday with a match at one of the Home Depot Center’s fields.

• Injury report: Timbers — Out: OUT: FW Bright Dike (Achilles rupture); FW Brian Umony (knee MCL sprain); GK Adin Brown (hamstring strain); Doubtful: MF Peter Lowry (knee MCL strain); DF David Horst (ankle sprain); Probable: GK Troy Perkins (knee sprain). LA Galaxy — Out: DF Gregg Berhalter (knee MCL sprain); FW Adam Cristman (knee surgery); DF Leonardo (knee ACL/LCL tear); Questionable: MF Landon Donovan (knee inflammation); MF Hector Jimenez (wrist surgery).