LA Galaxy Finish Road Trip In Portland

The Los Angeles Galaxy are set to play the second game of a Northwest swing, taking on the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field tonight at 7:00 pdt. The game, broadcast on ESPN2, is the second of a two game home , stand for the Timbers, who drew 2-2 with Toronto FC last weekend. The Galaxy are coming off a huge win in the first leg of this road trip, a 0-4 win in Vancouver.

The Galaxy had little trouble on the turf at Empire Field, with a Landon Donovan brace paving the way for the large victory. The suddenly potent offense also featured goals from Sean Franklin and Adam Cristman. This was all without star David Beckham, who returns to the team tonight after serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

The last time these two clubs met, the first meeting between these two clubs in MLS history, the Galaxy were up just four minutes into the match on a Chad Barrett goal. Landon Donovan found Barrett near the top of the penalty area, Barrett controlled the ball with his shoulder, knocked it down in front of him, and ripped a shot from just outside the area past Troy Perkins.

Four minutes later, LA had doubled their lead when Portland's Randy Wallace grabbed Landoon Donovan inside the penalty area and the Galaxy were awarded the penalty. Converting the penalty, Donovan opened his MLS goal account for the season.

Portland raced out to a 2-0 lead in their last match, against Toronto, but were unable to hold it. The Timbers opened the lead midway through the first half, when Sal Zizzo flicked the ball to Diego Chara in the midfield and he found Eddie Johnson, who let it fly from outside the area. A second half penalty made it 2-0, but two goals at the 71' and 82' for Toronto gave them the unlikely comeback.

The Portland Timbers have just 22 points from 20 games, for eighth place in the Western Conference. The Timbers haven't won at home since May.