Portland Timbers at Los Angeles FC: How to watch, preview, match chat [4:30]

The Portland Timbers are headed to California today to take on Los Angeles FC, shaking off the rust — and snow — from their season opener as they look to take on one of the early favorites in the Western Conference. While it was hard to take away much from the Timbers’ week one match against the ten-man Colorado Rapids in a blizzard, this week they will be facing an LAFC side at full strength.

LA opened their season with a grinding, physical win against Sporting Kansas City that showcased the diversity of their scoring threats as both of their goals came from moments of individual brilliance from winger Diego Rossi and forward Adama Diomande. Add in the abilities of Mexican international Carlos Vela and you have an attacking group that will put the Timbers’ defense to the test throughout the match.

For their part, how the Timbers approach today’s match will be telling. Will Giovanni Savarese’s side play the sort of high press that the Timbers ran out during the preseason? Or will they revert to the more withdrawn defensive shape that helped them to make their way through much of 2018? In either case a heavy burden will fall on the shoulders of Jeremy Ebobisse as he continues to lead the line for the Timbers despite rumors that the Timbers are still looking to sign a new designated player forward in this transfer window.

Preview

Storylines: “Not that I’ll be doing weather updates on a regular basis, but it will be a lot different in LA that it was in Colorado. It’s going to be wet and in the upper 50’s by first kick. It’s supposed to rain most of the day and will give way to partly cloudy later on. All in all, much better than a massive snow storm.”

Match Information

Watch it on: FOX Sports 1

Where: Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

When: Sunday, March 10th at 4:30 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 0-0-1, drew 1-1 at the Colorado Rapids

Los Angeles FC: 1-0-0, won 2-1 vs. Sporting Kansas City