LAFC Prepares to Battle Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium

News Summary

LAFC is gearing up to face the Portland Timbers in a crucial MLS match at BMO Stadium. The pre-game festivities will include a community event focused on pet adoption. LAFC currently ranks 5th in the Western Conference, while Portland trails closely behind. With key defensive injuries, LAFC aims to maintain their strong performance to secure a vital victory. The match will be broadcast live and promises to engage fans in the area with various activities.

Los Angeles – LAFC is set to face the Portland Timbers this Friday, with the match scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Fans can enter the venue starting at 6 p.m., with pre-game festivities kicking off earlier in the day.

The match will be broadcast live on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, with radio coverage also available on 710 AM ESPN, the ESPN LA App, and KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera.

In an effort to engage the community, LAFC is organizing a pre-game event called LAFC Lane from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., featuring match sponsor ZippyPaws and Pups Without Borders. This event aims to raise awareness for pet adoption.

As the teams prepare for the match, LAFC currently holds the 5th position in the Western Conference, boasting a record of 10 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws for a total of 36 points. The Portland Timbers are closely trailing in 6th place with a record of 9 wins, 7 losses, and 7 draws, totaling 34 points.

Looking at the recent form, LAFC has demonstrated strong performance, suffering only one defeat in their last 14 league matches, comprised of 7 wins, one loss, and 6 draws. During this stretch, LAFC has outscored their opponents 31 to 17, including two clean sheets in home matches against Colorado and Dallas.

Conversely, the Portland Timbers have struggled lately, managing to score only 12 goals in their last 13 matches since mid-June. On the road, they have collected a mere 11 points this season, with a record of 3 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws. In a positive note for the Timbers, midfielder Omir Fernández recently netted his first goal for the team in a match against Minnesota.

On the injury front, LAFC will face significant challenges as they will be missing team captain and center back Aaron Long for the rest of the season. Additionally, Eddie Segura will be suspended for one match, leaving the team to rely on central defender Nkosi Tafari and potentially 2024 MLS draft pick Kenny Nielsen to fill the gaps in the defense.

On a brighter note, LAFC’s star player Denis Bouanga has been outstanding this season, amassing 13 goals and 7 assists. If he scores seven more goals in the remaining matches, Bouanga could achieve the feat of becoming the first player in MLS history to score 20 goals in three consecutive seasons.

Historically, encounters between LAFC and the Timbers have been competitive, with the last matchup ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw on April 19, 2025. Notably, the Timbers have scored in 16 consecutive matches against LAFC and in 17 out of 18 overall matchups.

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo has emphasized the importance of a robust defensive strategy to maintain their current momentum against Portland. The Timbers will likely seek to exploit the vulnerabilities presented by LAFC’s weakened defense due to injuries and suspensions.

The LAFC organization anticipates roster changes soon, as new players are expected to be brought in following the opening of the secondary transfer window. This may include additional center backs and midfield depth to bolster the team as they head into the latter part of the season.

As for fan engagement, LAFC offers group experiences for attendees during matches, while Portland will have over 70 pub partners for fans to enjoy the game throughout the region and beyond.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

MLS Celebrates 30 Years of Soccer Pioneers

Additional Resources

• LAFC Official Site: Match Preview Against Portland Timbers
• Portland Timbers Official Site: Matchday Overview
• Los Angeles Times: Game Coverage
• Wikipedia: Los Angeles FC
• Daily News: LAFC Focused on Portland
• Google Search: LAFC vs Portland Timbers