Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland Timbers and Los Angeles FC square off against each other at Providence Park in what is expected to be a close MLS encounter. Following three consecutive league wins, Portland shared the spoils with Colorado Rapids in their last league match, but despite the draw, they remained in 5th position in the Western Conference. New Zealand defender Bill Tuiloma is banned for Monday’s, while all Attinella, Polo, Jome, and Williamson are likely to miss out with injuries.
Los Angeles FC, on the other hand, head into the match with a severely-weakened squad as all Atuesta, Blackmon, Duenas, Gaines, Ibeagha, Opoku, Quezada, Segura, Sisniega, and Vela have been struggling with injuries. In Vela’s absence, in-form attacker Arango will be the man to watch in the away team, but given Portland’s current form, the 26-year-old is unlikely to help the visitors grab something from the match.
Highlighted Player (Andres Flores):
Nicknamed Ruso, Andres Flores joined River Plate youth academy in 2006. Flores played for River Plate’s Reserves from 2006 to 2008 and he was producing terrific displays with los Millonarios. However, he began his professional career in his homeland club Isidro Metapan, scoring ten goals in 95 appearances for the Salvadorian outfit. In 2012 he signed a loan deal with Danish club Viborg, but he played only one game for the Greens.
Andres Flores was then sent on a loan to New York Cosmos and after making eight appearances for the MCU Park outfit, he signed a permanent contract with the club in 2015. The El Salvador midfielder, who is capable of playing as a striker as well, made his debut for New York Cosmos on August 2, 2014 in a 1-0 loss to Carolina RailHawks.
Speaking of his international career, Andres Flores received his first call-up for the El Salvador national football team in March, 2008 in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago.
Highlighted Team (Los Angeles FC):
Seeing that Los Angeles FC will be competing in Major League Soccer from the 2018 season, the club chiefs did well to reinforce the squad. Several high-profile players joined the club in the winter of 2018, with Mexican ace Carlos Vela being the biggest name to sign a deal with LAFC.
The new expansion team will host their rivals at Banc of California, the stadium which is planned to be opened on April 29, 2018. The venue should hold up to 22,000 spectators. Los Angeles FC will be coached by Bob Bradley in the 2018 MLS campaign and they will be wearing black and gold kits in the USA professional soccer league. Speaking of their bitterest rivals, there will be fireworks when Los Angeles FC face LA Galaxy in the Major League Soccer.
District 9 Ultras and Black Army 1850 are considered the club's biggest supporters groups and it has to be noted that they used to support Chivas USA. Los Angeles FC were founded on October 30, 2014.