Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. On Sunday, the Portland Timbers take on Los Angeles FC at Providence Park (4:30pm PT, TICKETS, FS1).
NOTE: As of Aug. 24, 2021, Timbers and Thorns matches at Providence Park require proof of vaccination and masks at all times. Please check the latest stadium policies for more info.
Team Form
Winners of their last three matches and unbeaten in four, Los Angeles FC comes into Portland with plenty of momentum. Their current run of form has them in seventh place in the Western Conference on 33 points but only one point behind fifth-place Portland with an overall record of 9-9-6. In their last three games, they've scored 12 times, most recently defeating Austin FC 2-1 on the road Wednesday.
The last time the Timbers faced them on July 21 at Providence Park, Felipe Mora scored a dramatic 93rd-minute game-winner and Portland defeated LAFC 2-1.
In Attack
The LAFC offense is an element of the team that has been in flux. The player who has scored the most goals for them in 2021 – forward Diego Rossi with six – was, in August, loaned with an eye to transfer to Turkish giants Fenerbache. Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela has five goals and five assists but injuries have kept him off the field since July 28.
However, new Colombian striker Cristian Arango won MLS Player of the Week plaudits last week and has five goals in just seven appearances since arriving from Millonarios in August. Meanwhile, midfielder José Cifuentes has five goals and four assists.
In Defense
Centerback Jesús David Murillo has been a constant on the defensive backline with 22 starts and a team-leading 48 interceptions while former Timbers Homegrown defender Marco Farfan has made 21 appearances.
Rookie defender Mamadou Fall, also known as Mbacke, has started the last six matches for the Black-and-Gold and scored a brace in their 4-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 3.
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