Breakdowns in the Galaxy's defense led to 4-2 loss at Timbers

Two goals are usually enough to win a game in Major League Soccer. The Los Angeles Galaxy average 1.96 goals a game this year which is almost a half goal better than last year.

Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil each added their twelfth and ninth goals, respectively this season. Unfortunately, that was not enough for the Los Angeles Galaxy to capture their 17th win of the year,

The Galaxy's keeper failed to save either of the Timbers' four goals, including a pair of scores from Evander. However, not all of the blame rests on John McCarthy.

So where (else) did it go wrong?

Well, no offense, it was on the defensive end for the Galaxy. Despite McCarthy's season best eight saves, the LA Galaxy dropped their second game in a row on the road.

The Timbers were able to launch 22 shot attempts which was actually two less than the Galaxy. Almost twice as many were on target by the Galaxy's opposition on Wednesday night.

"We didn't deal with some transitions well. We didn't box defend well at times... We gave up goals mainly in transitions and then crossing situations where we were not taking account for guys that are in the box."

- Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Greg Vanney, the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, went with a different formation in Portland. He chose to have his players take the field in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

This particular formation is built in order to allow three core units to function together. The defense, midfield and attack make up those three units. In the back is a simple defensive unit of four players. From left to right, you have two center backs and then two full backs.

The Galaxy started John Nelson, Maya Yoshida, Jalen Neal and Miki Yamane as the four players in the defensive unit against the Timbers. Neal is by far the youngest of the four. Nelson is 26 and both Yoshida and Yamane are 30 or older.

"I felt like we were having some midfield challenges later in the game when Marco (Reus) came in because he was really committed to high positions and Riqui (Puig) was more getting into higher positions or picking up the ball and moving into high positions. "

- Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Against both Atlanta United and St. Louis City SC, the Los Angeles Galaxy used a 4-2-3-1 formation. They switched it up to a 4-3-3 formation when they hosted LAFC. Wednesday night's game in Portland was the third different formation Vanney used in as many games.

The LA Galaxy was still without Julian Aude and Martin Caceres due to injury. Mistakes were made all the way around in transition. The team will play at home on this Saturday against another playoff contender, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Another win like the 3-1 victory back in April against the Whitecaps should regain any momentum and swag lost since the come from behind win against LAFC two games ago.