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The Portland Timbers will face the LA Galaxy today in the most crucial game of the franchise's young history in Major League Soccer as they battle for a spot in the playoffs and a chance to stay within striking distance of the Supporter's Shield. This should be a star studded affair as the Galaxy come to town with designated players Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Omar Gonzalez all ready to play.
Here's all the information you need for today's game:
General Information
Watch it on: NBC
Kick off: 12:30 pm at Jeld-Wen Field
Portland Timbers: 3rd Place (46 points) in the Western Conference.
LA Galaxy: 4th Place (45 points) in the Western Conference.
Starting Lineups
Portland Timbers: Ricketts, Jewsbury, Danso, Kah, Harrington, Chara, Valeri, W. Johnson ©, Nagbe, Urruti, Wallace
LA Galaxy: Penedo; Franklin, Gonzalez, Opare, Dunivant; Jimenez, Juninho, Sarvas, Zardes; Donovan, Keane
Final Thoughts
As with all of the best Timbers games, this one will likely be played in the rain. While Timbers home matches have not been exclusively dry affairs this year, Caleb Porter has yet to really have a chance to recapture the magic of early 2011 when the Timbers won their first home games in MLS during some crazy, drenched affairs. Everyone loves the chant, "let it rain, let it pour, let the Portland Timbers score," and that is exactly what we will be hoping for today.