LAFC host Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium on Saturday, August 22 (10:30 PM ET \/ 9:30 PM CT \/ 7:30 PM PT).<\/p>\n
There’s no fresh fitness news out of BMO Stadium, with both sides otherwise unaffected by injury or suspension. LAFC will lean on Denis Bouanga, who has scored 10 goals and fired a team-high 56 shots this season, with Son Heung-Min providing service from a team-high 36 chances created. Portland Timbers travel with Kevin Kelsy up top, who has scored 9 goals in 1,173 minutes, and Kristoffer Velde alongside him, the visitors’ leading creator with 39 chances created.<\/p>\n
LAFC arrive off consecutive one-goal losses \u2014 away to Colorado Rapids and at home to San Diego FC \u2014 a rockier stretch that follows wins over Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake and a draw at Vancouver Whitecaps in the games before that. Portland, by contrast, go into this off a 3-1 win over San Diego FC last time out, having lost 1-2 at Chicago Fire the week before, with wins over Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake and a draw against FC Dallas further back. Bouanga’s movement and Son’s chance creation give LAFC a clear route to goal, while Kelsy’s physicality and Velde’s output on the flank mean Portland’s defence will have to work just as hard at the other end. Expect LAFC’s extra edge in the final third at home to be the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n