Timbers at L.A. Galaxy
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Sunday at StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
TV / radio: FOX Sports 1/ AM 750, FM 102.9.
Timbers notes: At 13-11-8 (47 points), Portland is tied on points with Seattle and San Jose for the fifth through seventh places in the Western Conference. The Timbers are seventh based on tie breakers. … The Timbers are coming off a 1-0 win at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. … The Timbers figure again to be without midfielder Will Johnson, who recently had screws removed from the leg that was broken a year ago. The Timbers also will be without midfielder Jack Jewsbury (foot) for a second consecutive game. Right back Alvas Powell is suspended one game (yellow card accumulation), so look for Taylor Peay in that spot. Also, the severity of Lucas Melano’s shoulder sprain suffered at Real Salt Lake was uncertain as of Friday. … The Timbers are 0-5-2 all-time against the Galaxy in Los Angeles, including a 5-0 loss at StubHub Center on June 24. On the plus side, Portland has two consecutive road wins and has one of the better road records in MLS over the past two seasons. … Diego Chara and Diego Valeri are each one yellow card away from being suspended for the season finale. … The Timbers official viewing party is at Rose and Thistle, 2314 N.E. Broadway, in Portland. This is a 21-and-older event.
Portland’s playoff path: To control their own playoff destiny on the final day of the season (Oct. 25) when they host Colorado, the Timbers need at least a draw at Los Angeles. San Jose’s win over Sporting Kansas City on Friday kept the Quakes alive and kept the pressure on Portland, which loses tie-breaker scenarios to San Jose, Seattle and to Sporting Kansas City. SKC (two games left) is only one point up on Portland, Seattle and San Jose. San Jose’s only remaining game is at F.C. Dallas. Seattle plays at Houston on Sunday, then hosts Real Salt Lake to conclude the season. Sporting Kansas City hosts Colorado on Wednesday and hosts the Galaxy on Oct. 25.
Galaxy notes: Los Angeles (14-9-9, 51 points) is second in the Western Conference, three points back of F.C. Dallas for first place. … The Galaxy last played on Oct. 4, a 1-1 draw at Seattle. … Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told the team’s website that his squad is as healthy as it has been all season. Mexican star Giovani dos Santos, Baggio Husidic, Robbie Rogers, Juninho and A.J. DeLaGarza are all expected be available after battling minor injuries. … The Galaxy have outscored the Timbers 8-1 in Portland’s last two games in Los Angeles. … Robbie Keane leads the Galaxy with 17 goals and eight assists. Keane has scored in his last two Galaxy outings and had a goal and two assists in the June demolition of the Timbers. … Former Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is 5-2-2 since rejoining the Galaxy at midseason, allowing 11 goals (two penalty kicks) in his nine appearances.
Follow Paul Danzer’s Timbers coverage on Twitter: @col_timbers
