Recap, Matchday #10: LA Galaxy losses to the Portland Timbers, again

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·28. April 2025

Recap, Matchday #10: LA Galaxy losses to the Portland Timbers, again

The last time these two MLS Western Conference clubs faced each other they tied 1-1. The draw gave the Los Angeles Galaxy their first point of the season and some hope after losing their first three games to start the season.

Sunday evening's rematch did not go in favor the defending champions. The LA Galaxy lost 4-2 against the Portland Timbers for the second time in their last three regular season meetings. This was the same result back in September when they played in Oregon last year.

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"How do I feel about the current squad? You know I trust the guys, and I like them. I feel like we have some good moments and some good stretches and then we are a little shaky and we sometimes create our own issues and sometimes we have some tough moments. But I like our group. We've got to keep working and find the solutions inside of our group to help us turn the results around. "Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

The latest edition in this rivalry served as another sign that the six-time champions are going to have to wait at least one more season before competing for another MLS Cup title.

Takeaways from the LA Galaxy's latest defeat

When a team controls the ball for 54% of the game and takes 16 shot attempts (six of which were on target), you could picture them winning. Not for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

The Portland Timbers also had six shots on target but twice as many found the back of the net. David Da Costa scored first. That put the LA Galaxy down 1-0 entering halftime.

Santiago Moreno (53') and Kevin Kelsy (63') added to the Galaxy's deficit. John McCarthy allowed a fourth goal when Jonathan Rodriguez launched a penalty kick past him at the 76th minute.

Prior to the Timbers' penalty kick score, LA Galaxy stars Christian Ramirez and Marco Reus scored less than three minutes apart midway in the second half. That brought the score to 3-2 with the Galaxy trailing by one.

Reus came into the game for midfielder Diego Fagundez. Maya Yoshida also subbed in during the second half. This was his first game back after nursing an injury.

"We are not in a good position. So again, small details. And it's not like when we lose, we lose because the other team was much, much better, no. Because we did mistakes. It's part of football, yes. But unnecessary mistakes. So, if we can stop this, then we start winning. But we have to stop this."Marco Reus, LA Galaxy midfielder

Joseph Paintsil can relate as he missed significant time to open up the 2025 MLS regular season. Midfielder Riqui Puig is also expected to remain out for the season following his ACL surgery.

The LA Galaxy are in last place (0-3-7) and sit 10 points behind the Seattle Sounders who are in ninth. Before Vanney and his team can think playoffs, they have to start winning games.

Injuries and new additions to the team have affected the LA Galaxy's ability to win. They will have another chance to do so next Sunday.

The Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Kansas City to face another struggling MLS Western Conference opponent. Former teammate Dejan Joveljic is the team's leading scorer with five goals.

He had 15 goals and five assists last season for the 2024 MLS Cup champions. This will be the first time that Joveljic will verse his original and former MLS team.