MLS: LAFC vs. Portland Timbers Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 4)

LAFC meets Portland Timbers in the second round of the MLS championship. The season started last weekend, and MLS fans can now enjoy their favorite players and teams. LAFC didn’t play in the first round against LA Galaxy in an El Trafico, which was postponed due to poor weather. Meanwhile, Portland Timbers have closed the first round and are now opening the second. There is only a little time for the 2015 champs to recover, but they are ready to meet the big rivals. 

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers  Preview

LAFC (-205) is the reigning MLS champion. Bob Bradley’s unit finally reached the title, following a few years of coming up short. It seems they needed Gareth Bale to come to LA and show his magic when needed the most. 

The Welshman is gone. He retired with a piece of silverware and can turn his attention to golf now. Besides Bale, Christian Arango, the lethal striker, is out, while on the other side, they signed Aaron Long, the United States men’s team center-back, Stipe Biuk from Croatia, and Timothy Tillman. 

After three preseason games without a win, they posted back-to-back triumphs to close the preparation period. The wins were over Toronto FC and San Diego Loyal. In all the games, FC conceded at least one goal, and four of these five ended with a moderate efficiency, that is, between two or three scores. 

Portland Timbers (+500) still didn’t lose when counting in the preseason period. After three victories and one draw, they started the MLS campaign with a narrow victory over Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, in a game that saw plenty of chances and actions on both ends of the field but just one hit. 

That decisive moment occurred after only six minutes of play when Juan Mosquera beat the SKC defense to lift his team up. We have to say that the guests could have done much better, but the luck was on Portland’s side. 

The defense experienced a lot of problems last year, with Portland allowing 53 goals. Timbers’ back line looked more or less solid during the preseason, yet they showed a lot of weakness in the opening 90 minutes. We’ll see if they can cover up all the flaws, because luck won’t be with them all the time. 

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers Latest News

LAFC has no injured or absent players. 

Felipe Mora will be out for the Timbers because of his knee injury. Mora won’t be eligible to play at least until the end of April.

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers  Head to Head Games

The LAFC and the Timbers played three games in 2022. LA had more success, and after 1-1 at their BMO Stadium, they beat the Timbers twice in a row, 2-0, in the US Open Cup and 1-2 in Portland. 

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers  Prediction

The FC suffered lots of changes in the attack, and the current lineup will need some time to create proper chemistry. Still, the Timbers’ defense isn’t convincing at all, and we believe the hosts will score at least twice. We won’t pick them to triumph but rather to score twice, and that’s because of Portland’s solid attack and the FC’s mediocre performances during the preseason.

Pick: LAFC Over 1.5 Goals -205

More US Soccer previews are available here.