CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza still vividly recalls being at a meeting that featured guest speaker Eddie Pope at the 2009 MLS scouting combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
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The retired U.S. international was there not only to give a pep talk to the MLS hopefuls but to tell them to always be aware of where their future employers were in the league standings.
That helps explain why DeLaGarza pays such close attention to the Western Conference playoff race. To say it’s a wild one would be putting it mildly.
“He told us it’s important to be engaged,” DeLaGarza said as the Galaxy prepared for Sunday’s clash with the Portland Timbers at StubHub Center (4 p.m., Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes). “I remember that.
“He was someone I grew up watching and respected. I’ve done that ever since, be aware.”
The Galaxy (14-9-9, 51 points), who’ve already clinched a postseason spot, are second in the West behind FC Dallas, which has 54 points. Portland, coming off an important 1-0 victory at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, are tied for the sixth and last playoff berth in the West with Seattle at 47 points. Vancouver are third with 50 points and Sporting Kansas City are fourth at 48.
The Galaxy, who close out the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Kansas City, remain in contention not only for the Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the team with the league’s best overall record, but an automatic berth in the conference semifinals should they finish among the top two seeds. Portland can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Los Angeles and either a San Jose loss or tie Friday against Sporting Kansas City or a tie against the Galaxy and a San Jose loss to Sporting KC.
“We’re in the playoffs and that’s huge,” DeLaGarza said. “We want to be a top two seed. We need this game to kind of cement that. A whole bunch of teams are right on our heels.”
The playoff race is a new experience for Sebastian Lletget, who joined the Galaxy earlier this year from England after coming up through the youth system of West Ham. Lletget said he’s been busy trying to figure out all of the playoff possibilities.
“This is my first year doing this. I’m learning on the way,” he said. “You want to avoid that knockout sort of game; we definitely want to do that.
“It’s intense, but super fun. I’m really enjoying it, the pressure of it.”
The Galaxy will face a Portland side led by Fanendo Adi’s 13 goals, including five game-winners, and Diego Valeri’s seven assists. The clubs are meeting for the third time this season, with the Galaxy tying the Timbers 2-2 in Portland on March 25, thanks to Alan Gordon’s stoppage-time goal, and then cruising to a 5-0 win at StubHub Center on June 24.
Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who played in Portland from 2012-2014 and was named Goalkeeper of the Year there in 2013, called his former team a dangerous opponent.
“They’re a very tough team to play against,” he said. “When they play on the road they keep their shape. They’re very compact and make it hard to give up goals.”
Ricketts also was among those to acknowledge the stakes of Sunday’s game.
“We’re trying to get into position right now. If we get a one or two (seed) we get to rest,” he said. “This is a very important game.”
LA GALAXY vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
October 18, 2015 (WEEK 33, MLS Game #330)
4 p.m. PT (FS1)​
- The Galaxy secured their place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, but still failed to win for the fourth time in five games last time out, Seattle Sounders FC hitting for a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw Oct. 4 at CenturyLink Field.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. On June 24, five different Galaxy players found the back of the net as LA cruised to a 5-0 victory at Stub Hub Center. On March 15 at Providence Park, Alan Gordon hit for the equalizer in second-half stoppage time, answering Fanendo Adi’s second goal of the game right on the stroke of full time, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw.
- The Galaxy are undefeated in their last five meetings with the Timbers, with three wins and two draws. The Galaxy have never lost to the Timbers in Carson, with six wins in seven matches there all-time.
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