LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers 6/18/22 - Major League Soccer Picks & Predictions

The LA Galaxy hosts the Portland Timbers on Saturday in a MLS Western Conference fixture. LA Galaxy is fifth in the conference table at 7-2-5 on 23 points with a goal difference of +2. LA Galaxy is coming off a 4-1 victory over Austin FC on May 29 prior to the break for international play. Dejan Joveljic scored a brace with two goals in the second half, while Xavier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Efrain Alvarez each scored one goal.

For the fifth consecutive season, LA Galaxy has five losses in its first 14 matches. LA has just two more wins than losses but is hanging tough in the top 5 of the Western Conference. Chicharito Hernandez is the leading goal scorer for LA Galaxy with six, while Dejan Joveljic has scored three. Samuel Grandsir and Raheem Edwards are the leaders in assists with three each.

The Portland Timbers are 12th in the conference table at 3-6-6 on 15 points with a goal difference of -4. The Portland Timbers were defeated by Inter Miami CF 2-1 on May 28 in their final match before the break for International play. Portland trailed in the second half 2-0 before Bill Tuiloma scored in the 78th minute for the Timbers, but Portland could not add an equalizer and lost on the road.

Portland is having its worst ever start of a season since joining the MLS with only 15 points through its first 15 matches. Portland has just three victories in its first 15 matches. Bill Tuiloma is the leading goal scorer for Portland with five, while Yimmi Chara and Jaroslaw Niezgoda have each scored three. Sebastian Blanco is the leader in assists with four.