The best in MLS, LAFC, come to town this weekend unbeaten in all competions, while the Timbers enter matchday 7 languishing behind the rest of the Western Conference.
Quick Facts & Info
mlssoccer
Kickoff: 1:45 p.m. PT, Providence Park (Portland, OR)
Referees: Armando Villareal, assistants Jeremy Hanson and Chris Elliot, 4th official Lorenzo Hernandez, VAR Chris Penso
TV Broadcast: Apple TV+, FOX Sports
Radio Broadcast: 105.1 The FAN (FM), 1080 AM
Commentators: English – Max Bretos, Brian Dunseth // Spanish – Pablo Ramirez, Jesus Bracamontes
Portland Timbers MLS regular season head-to-head record against LAFC 6W - 7D - 6L (31 GF, 33 GA)
Last Meeting: A 1-0 for the Portland Timbers in Los Angeles on July 25, 2025 – Goal scored by: Cristhian Paredes (POR, 45')
Team Records:
Portland Timbers (1-1-5, 14th in Western Conference)
- Previous match: A 3-2 road loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 4.
Alex Barnes
LAFC (5-1-0, 1st in Western Conference)
- Previous match: A 3-0 home win against Liga MX club Cruz Azul in Concacaf Champions Cup play on April 7.
Availability Report
Portland Timbers:
- Out: Omir Fernandez (foot), Zac McGraw (back), Juan Mosquera (knee)
- Questionable: (none)
LAFC:
- Out: Amin Boudri (leg), Stephen Eustáquio (leg), Igor Jesus (leg), Aaron Long (leg)
- Questionable: (none)
Timbers 2026 Transactions
IN:
- #16 Sawyer Jura, 19, USA, Right back (Timbers2/Academy – Free)
- #26 Hunter Sulte, 23, USA, Goalkeeper (Timbers2/Academy/Indy Eleven loan – Free)
- #5 Brandon Bye, 30, USA, Right back (New England Revolution – Free agent)
- #6 Alex Bonetig, 23, Australia, Center back (Western Sydney Wanderers – ~$2 million dollars)
- #17 Cole Bassett, 24, USA, Center midfield (Colorado Rapids – $2.65, up to $3.7 million dollars)
- #28 Alexander Aravena, 23, Chile, Winger (Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense – 1-year loan w/ purchase option)
- #30 José Caicedo, 23, Colombia, Center midfield (Pumas UNAM – undisclosed transfer fee, $50,000 in 2026 GAM to D.C. United for discovery rights)
- #73 Eric Izoita, 18, USA, Center midfield (Timbers 2/Academy – Contract becomes first-team in 2027, 2 remaining 2026 MLS call-ups)
OUT:
- #24 David Ayala, 23, Argentina, Center midfield (Inter Miami CF – $2 million dollars)
- #35 Matias Rojas, 30, Paraguay, Right wing (Without club – Contract expiry)
- #17 Cristhian Paredes, 27, Paraguay, Center midfield (Cerro Porteño – Contract expiry)
- #16 Maxime Crepeau, 31, Canada, Goalkeeper (Orlando City SC – Contract expiry)
- #33 Felipe Carballo, 29, Uruguay, Center midfield (Grêmio FBPA – End of loan)
- #13 Dario Zuparic, 33, Croatia, Center back (Hapoel Haifa FC – Contract expiry)
- #14 Jonathan Rodriguez, 32, Uruguay, Striker (Without club – Waive, contract buyout)
Pre-match content
Alex Barnes
A good conversation was had about Ned Grabavoy's press availability in the chat of our members' discussion thread
Sam Svilar
Alex and Sam hopped on the mics to break down the beatdown in Vancouver, touch on the week's Timbers news, and preview the LAFC match
Lineup Prediction
Cole Bassett has been removed from the injury report and looks poised to make his first appearance since Feb. 28, in Colorado, while Juan Mosquera misses out with a knee issue having played just 45 minutes in his goal + assist return from injury against the Whitecaps. Kamal Miller will once again be available for suspension after serving a one-match ban in Vancouver.
Cascadia FC's Jeremy Peterman reported that Alex Bonetig was doing recovery work on the side of the pitch with Zac McGraw at training on Thursday, but is not included on the injury report. As such, I expect to see the same back five Neville deployed in the second half against the Whitecaps last weekend.
With Joao Ortiz in stellar form, Cole Bassett nowhere near 90 minutes fit, and Jose Caicedo's impressive debut at the #6 position, I would expect to see the Ortiz-Caicedo pairing in a double-pivot again today.
With Kristoffer Velde and David da Costa locks to start, the only other questionable spots in the XI are on the wing and up top. Peterman and Timbers Radio's Adam Susman both reported that Antony frustratedly left training early on Thursday, potentially paving the way for Alexander Aravena to get the nod opposite Velde. But if he's fit I fully expect Antony to start.
The choice at striker is as clear as mud. Kevin Kelsy has started Portland's last two fixtures, but hasn't made much of an impact over the course of his appearances due in-part to a aggravating lack of service. With the amount of running and dirty work Gage Guerra likes to do up top, I could see Neville giving him the nod in this match.
Key Questions
Will the Timbers be the first team to score against LAFC this season?
LAFC are yet to concede a goal in MLS play through six matches, while the Timbers have only been kept off the scoresheet once in 2026 – A 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on matchday 2. The Timbers have averaged two goals per game this year, and a look at the records between these two sides shows that the Timbers average 1.89 goals per game against LAFC at Providence Park. In fact, LAFC have only shut the Timbers out one time in 19 meetings since 2018. With DPs Kristoffer Velde and David da Costa tallying a combined three goals in Portland's last three games, LAFC will have their work cut out for them at the back.
How much does Marc Dos Santos rotate his side for this fixture sandwiched between two CCC clashes?
LAFC have one of the deepest rosters in MLS, and that depth will presumably be tested this weekend against the Timbers. As previously stated, LAFC won the first leg of their CCC series against Cruz Azul 3-0 on Tuesday, and will have to travel to Puebla, Mexico, for the second leg just three days after the conclusion of todays contest against the Timbers. The comprehensive score makes heavy rotation unlikely for the visitors unlikely, but Dos Santos selected his first choice lineup, playing everyone close to 90 minutes outside of David Martinez and Mathieu Choinière.
Chat through the match with fellow supporters in the comment section below!
