CARSON, Calif. – It may not be as simple as a victory, but there is a solution to the LA Galaxy’s current woes.
“It’s time now to show as a team and individuals the character we’ve got and that we’ve shown the last few years,” David Beckham said after training Thursday as the Galaxy prepared to take on the Portland Timbers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at The Home Depot Center (KDOC, KWHY, LIVE chat on lagalaxy.com/gamedaylive).
“So far this season we haven’t seen that.”
MATCH INFO:
Saturday, April 14 @ 7:30 p.m. PT
- WATCH: KDOC, KWHY (Spanish)
- LISTEN: lagalaxy.com/gamedaylive,
AM 1150 & 1330 AM (Spanish) - WEBCHAT:lagalaxy.com/gamedaylive
What the Galaxy do have to show for their efforts through four games is a 1-3-0 record for three points, which leaves them in last place in the Western Conference, already 12 points behind first place Real Salt Lake.
Striker Edson Buddle said the time is now for the Galaxy to show its mettle.
“You have to roll up your sleeves and just fight,” he said.
”Sometimes it’s not going to be pretty, but when times are tough you have to scratch through it. I’ve known that first-hand throughout my career and I’m ready for it.
“I’ve done it before.”
The Galaxy take on a Timbers (1-3-1) team that is struggling in its own right. They have lost three consecutive games, including the last two at home, to Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA, conceding late winners in each. The Timbers are led by Darlington Nagbe, who has three goals while Kris Boyd, the former Scottish striker and all-time leading scorer in the Scottish Premier League. He has two goals this season.
Eric Alexander and Jack Jewsbury each have two assists for John Spencer’s club.
“We know it’s a team coming here thinking they can get something out of the game,” Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. “We have to be ready.”
The Galaxy, however, aren’t concerned as much about the Timbers as they are themselves.
ON THE OPPOSITION:
- WATCH: Timbers preview clash with Galaxy
- Key Match-up: Timbers' Defense vs. Galaxy's Attacking Arsenal
- WATCH: Boyd slots home his second goal of 2012
There figure to be some changes in Saturday’s starting lineup and the back line was boosted by Wednesday’s acquisition of center back David Junior Lopes from Chivas USA for midfielder Paolo Cardozo. Lopes’ status for Saturday’s game remains unclear.
READ: Lopes surprised to be dealt, but happy to land with Galaxy
Head coach Bruce said the time to start winning is now.
“No question about it,” he said. “I think wins don’t take care of everything, but wins help. A win in the right way is even more important. A loss in the right way sometimes is even more important than a win.
“There’s things we need to do better as a team, and we want to see that we’re moving forward in that direction and just getting better so we can position ourselves to be a good team game in and game out.
“This is the fourth season I’m with the Galaxy. There are times when we’ve not played well and won games and not played well and lost. It feels the same way. Some of our games this year we certainly haven’t played well and lost. We’ve got to get that better.”
MATCH PREVIEW: Galaxy vs Timbers
