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Galaxy return home vs. expansion Timbers

Apr 23, 2011 - 1:16 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy host the expansion Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer action at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.

The Galaxy (3-1-3) are unbeaten in four with a 2-1 win at Chicago last weekend, the last three of those fixtures all being on the road.

"It's important because we had five of our first seven games on the road,' Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "Whenever you can get points on the road, it's important. The three points were critically important."

The Galaxy were missing a number of players because of suspension and injuries last weekend, but still found a way to win. They should be closer to full strength on Saturday.

"We didn't have a lot of guys eligible to play," Arena said. "Guys stepped up that haven't been playing regularly like Paolo Cardozo, Miguel Lopez, Mike Stephens and Frankie Hejduk. We're happy Omar [Gonzalez] was able to make an appearance, he played well."

Portland (2-2-1) will be gunning for their third straight win after topping FC Dallas 3-2 last weekend. The Timbers jumped out to a 3-0 lead before hanging on for the full points.

"We know we can't keep scoring three goals at home and struggling," Timbers coach John Spencer said. "Not struggling, but hanging on to games. It's hard to ask forwards and midfield players to score multiple goals."

While Portland has found a way to rattle off two straight wins, it has yet to earn a victory on the road, which it will have to do Saturday if it wants the full points.

"Getting two victories in our first two home games is absolutely amazing," Portland's Steve Purdy said. "We put ourselves in great position. The positive thing is we won the two games and we have a lot of momentum going to Los Angeles and a lot of momentum going into the next stage of the season."

Portland will be without forwards Bright Dike and Brian Umony, while midfielder Peter Lowry and defender David Horst are doubtful because of injuries.

The galaxy will be without defenders Gregg Berhalter and Leonardo, and forward Adam Cristman because of knee injuries, while midfielders Landon Donovan and Hector Jimenez are questionable with injures of their own.