Galaxy-Timbers Preview

An impressive opening performance only solidified a collective confidence the Los Angeles Galaxy expect to maintain throughout the season.

Looking to build on that strong effort Sunday, the Galaxy visit a Portland Timbers club that's riding the longest league shutout streak in franchise history.

After raising its MLS-leading fifth championship banner and bidding a final public farewell to retired star Landon Donovan, Los Angeles dominated play throughout a 2-0 home victory over Chicago on March 6. Jose Villarreal and reigning league MVP Robbie Keane scored in the second half while the Galaxy allowed one shot on goal to kick off the MLS season.

"It's just the first game, but I thought we were solid," defender Omar Gonzalez said. "One of our goals is to be good the whole season."

Paced by Keane's 19 regular-season goals, Los Angeles' 69 led the league in 2014. After recording 13 shots, including five on goal, this Galaxy club could be just as potent even without Donovan's stellar set-up skills.

In his fourth season, Villarreal has the potential to capably fill some of the midfield void left by Donovan, while Keane and Gyasi Zardes - 19 goals in the 2014 regular season and playoffs - remain stout up front.

Edson Buddle, who scored 19 goals with Los Angeles in 2010 and has 105 in his MLS career, was recently brought back after two underachieving seasons in Colorado but remains out with a quad injury.

"It's the same team, for the most part," coach Bruce Arena said. "They're an experienced group, and they know how to play."

Arena's offensive arsenal could face a challenge on the road against the Timbers, who have gone a club-record four straight MLS matches and 394 minutes without yielding a goal.

Portland didn't allow a corner kick for just the second time in its five-year history while giving up two shots on goal in last Saturday's scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake, the club's fourth consecutive shutout at home.

"I thought we looked extremely organized," coach Caleb Porter told the Timbers' official website. "Our team defending was tremendous, so I'm real pleased with that. We're going to draw a lot of points and find a way to win games if we do that."

Portland, however, must find the offensive form that resulted in 61 goals last season - third-most in the league. The Timbers outshot Salt Lake 18-9, six of which were on goal, but had nothing to show for it.

"We feel very comfortable with the group we have in there right now," defender Jack Jewsbury said. "We are going to continue to limit teams, and now it's just a matter of getting things clicking going the other way."

Rodney Wallace had four shots on goal against RSL, the most of anyone on MLS' opening weekend.

Teammate Diego Valeri scored three of Portland's four goals in last season's three meetings with Los Angeles, but the midfielder remains out due to a torn ACL suffered in the 2014 season finale.

The Galaxy went 1-0-2 against the Timbers as Keane scored half of their six goals while Zardes added one. Los Angeles, however, has managed two goals during an 0-2-1 stretch at Portland.