Holding the Western Conference’s final playoff position, the Los Angeles Galaxy will try to rebound from an embarrassing 6-2 loss in St. Louis on Sunday night.
The Galaxy return home on Wednesday night for a big game against the Portland Timbers, who arrive in Carson, Calif., three points behind ninth-place LA in the West standings.
LA (9-11-9, 36 points) had hoped to prevent St. Louis City from tying the MLS record for longest unbeaten streak across all competitions. Instead, St. Louis put up five goals in the first half and then led 6-1, ensuring it would go to 20 straight matches without a loss.
LA coach Greg Vanney hopes the lopsided defeat lights a fire under his players.
“There was certainly anger and disappointment, but I also felt a recognition that there’s a big week still ahead of us,” Vanney said. “Those games are going to be at home and that’s what our focus is on. I feel like there will be a good bounce back.”
While the Galaxy aim to make amends for their disastrous performance, Portland (9-13-6, 33 points) looks to pick up the pieces from a 3-3 draw at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. The Timbers held a 3-1 lead in the 64th minute after Ariel Lassiter scored, but conceded twice in three minutes to turn a potential three points into one.
Midfielder Diego Chara, who recently earned his 50th goal contribution in his 16-year career with Portland, was frustrated by the two points Portland squandered after holding a late lead.
“We are fighting for a playoff spot,” the 40-year-old said. “And hopefully, we can get a good result.”
Chara wants Portland to replicate its first-half performance in Kansas City.
“I think we were clever and at the same time, simple,” he said. “We created good situations in the attacking side.”
The teams played to a 1-1 draw on March 22 in Portland.
–Field Level Media
