The stars are out in the Rose City as the Timbers welcome Major League Soccer's most luminous team to the most posh atmosphere in the league. Tonight's 7:30 p.m. match (ESPN2, 750 AM, 101.1 FM) pits the undisputed hottest squad in MLS against, well, a club that's struggling to stay relevant in the Western Conference playoff race.

Los Angeles has the best record in the league (12-2-9) and the Galaxy are unbeaten in their last 14 matches behind Landon Donovan's league-high 11 goals (will the Timbers get physical with him?) and midfielder David Beckham's league-leading good looks. And while Portland (6-10-4) has struggled with just one victory in 10 matches, LA's won three straight and has just one loss in its last 20 games.

The Galaxy are "salivating" at the opportunity to play in front of MLS' most notorious fans, and the jam-packed Timbers Army sections haven't disappointed yet this season, especially in front of a national audience.

So settle in, grab your Spice Girls tapes and click past the jump as I deftly describe all the action, on and off the pitch.

STARTING XIs:
Los Angeles—Josh Saunders in goal. Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel up front. David Beckham, Juninho, Michael Stephens and Chris Birchall at mid. Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez, Sean Franklin and AJ DeLaGarza on defense. Donovan is the captain and the Galaxy are in blue from head to toe.

Portland—Troy Perkins in goal. Eddie Johnson and Jorge Perlaza up front. Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chará, James Marcelin and Sal Zizzo at midfield. Mike Chabala, David Horst, Eric Brunner and Lovel Palmer on defense. Perkins is the captain and the Timbers are sporting their Rose City Red kits.

PREGAME: OMG, BECKS! Lots of swooning fans here to see Mr. Beckham, and as the Galaxy warmed up in the south end, shutters were clicking away. Becks was nice enough to give a couple of waves, but that didn't endear him to Portland fans: He got the loudest boos during the pre-match intros.

Cap'n Jack Jewsbury is out tonight with a hamstring injury, and a late addition to the lineup: Kenny Cooper will get the start after Eddie Johnson suffered a pre-game injury. Fans went nuts when Cooper was announced.

It's the first minute of the season Jewsbury has missed, and a big opportunity for Marcelin to step in and show what he can do. And hell, an even bigger opportunity for Cooper to get the monkey off his back and get off the bench.

And we're underway ...

1st minute—A quick steal by Horst and the Timbers try to break Perlaza up the middle. Pass is a bit too long. Fans are going nuts. Great atmosphere here early and Portland would do well to start fast against an LA team that's been a tad slow from kickoff of late.

3rd—Cooper with a steal at midfield but it's taken right back and KFC finds the turf for the first time tonight.

4th—First foul of the day as Nagbe's progress along the west sideline is blocked. Chabala lines up a long free kick and curls it into the penalty area. No Jewsbury to take free kicks tonight, which means Portland is missing the most dangerous part of its offense so far this year.

5th—Palmer crosses to Cooper, who gets a head on it. It floats toward the goal and flutters over the cross bar and into the top part of the net. Zizzo getting lots of attention early here. They seemed to have scouted his speed.

8th—Perlaza is fouled just outside the corner of the box. A good flop by Perlaza, and a dangerous free kick coming for Portland. Cooper lining it up and blasts it right into the wall. Throw-in for Portland leads to a turnover.

9th—Perlaza with a run down the west side and dances around in the box. He fires a shot, but Saunders is all over it. Was just told Johnson's pre-game injury was a concussion. No word on how he got it.

10th—Cooper leads a break down the east side and lays it off to Nagbe. Ball gets worked back Palmer, who fires from about 30 yards, but it's well over the goal. Aggressiveness on full display as long goal kick is won by Brunner.

12th—Perlaza very active early here as he hip-checks a defender over the goal line and keeps the ball in bounds. His cross finds Nagbe, but the rookie can't get a solid header on it.

13th—Chabala with a long cross-field pass to Nagbe, who holds off an LA defender and earns a Portland throw deep in the Galaxy end. It goes into the box and Chará controls, but nothing doing.

14th—Perlaza takes on four defenders and then lays it back to Cooper coming down the west side. KFC fires a shot on-goal, but it's right into Saunders' gut.

15th—Here comes Beckham's first free kick. It bends in and Perkins and Horst collide as the ball sails wide left of the goal and over the goal line. Both Horst and Perkins are back to their feet and it looks like Horst got the worst of it.

16th—Horst looks OK, but he's shaking his shoulder out a bit.

17th—Two straight Portland possessions dropped back to Perkins. Long ball goes to Nagbe and Portland earns another throw deep in LA's end. It gets to Cooper, who turns and fires a shot that's deflected over the goal line and earns Portland a corner.

18th—Nagbe takes the corner and it finds Brunner, but his flying touch is immediately knocked down. Timbers maintain possession, but Horst is called offside.

20th—Another throw-in deep in LA's end, and it finds Marcelin in front. But Cooper is called for a foul after climbing a defender's back, and the Galaxy take over.

21st—Palmer with another long cross for Cooper after a Zizzo steal and nice Perlaza touch. Cooper again gets a head on it, but it's nearly the same result as last time, and the ball pops over the goal for a LA free kick.

22nd—Beckham changes his shoe and the fans hate that he's stopped play to do so. Marcelin is called for a foul on Becks and he better be careful, the ref who already forgot his spray paint likely didn't forget his yellow cards.

24th—Long ball from Franklin goes to Perkins and Portland again tries a long ball. Nobody home though, and Saunders slowly picks it up and tosses long. Galaxy controlling the pace.

26th—TIMBERS GOAL Chabala takes a pass in the box from Nagbe and the newest Timber fires one right-legged into the top right corner. Portland leads 1-0.

27th—Donovan looks to catch LA off guard, but Brunner with a huge tackle in the box.

28th—Cooper with a run up the middle but he's tackled just outside the box. Clean, but KFC went down in a heap.

29th—Beckham takes a touch that rolls up his body and off his face, but LA maintains possession.

30th—A long ball for Perlaza is just out of his reach as Saunders goes to his right to nab it.

31st—Brunner takes a knock in the head and he's slow to get up. He's having a hell of a match so far, winning every 50/50 he's around. Really keying the defense at this point.

32nd—Brunner back up and Portland possesses well as Nagbe shows some fancy footwork. Angel and Brunner are absolutely battling out there and Angel picks up a frustration foul.

33rd—TIMBERS GOAL Perlaza beats Saunders in the bottom left corner after Cooper passes to Chará, who taps one in front. Perlaza wins it with pure speed and nets it. Timbers lead 2-0, and this place is going nuts.

35th—Nagbe with an ankle-breaking move and a shot, but it's bobbled then gathered in by Saunders.

36th—Palmer saves a goal with a great tackle from behind and LA earns two straight corners, but they survive. Technical difficulties here, as a full press box is stretching bandwith to the max.

38th—Birchall crosses from the right, but it's right at Perkins.

39th—Donovan finds Stephens and what looks like a foul in the box by Portland is called on Los Angeles. Timbers fortunate there, but they're playing well enough to earn breaks like that: They're winning 50/50 balls and going after everything. Good aggression, but there's no doubt LA would love to cut the deficit in half before we take a break.

41st—Chabala and Beckham get tangled up in front of the LA bench, but the ref is right on top of it and nothing's called.

42nd—How's this for first-half domination? The Galaxy have yet to take a shot. Timbers have taken nine, five on goal.

44th—Horst with a long switch to the right, but it's a bit too long for the speedy Zizzo.

One minute of extra time ... Perlaza battling with DeLaGarza and Cooper almost gets free in the middle on a giveaway. Chará passes one toward his fellow Colombian, but it's cut off. Otherwise, that's another goal.

HALFTIME: Timbers lead 2-0. Seriously. I'm nothing short of shocked at this one so far: Portland dominates the best team in the league for 45 minutes and they lead a club that hasn't lost in months. Portland came out like nobody gave them a chance in this one (uh, yeah, they didn't) and showed some of their most potent play of the season: They're battling for every ball, hanging physically and not letting up in the least.

Of course, one early goal by LA to start the second half could completely change the complexion of this match. So enjoy it while you can, Timbers fans: Your team is crushing the best side in MLS. Can they hold on for 45 minutes more?

And we're back at it ... Timbers unchanged at half. For LA, Miguel Lopez in for Angel and Adam Cristman in for Stephens.

46th—Palmer loses Donovan (never a good idea) and Beckham nearly finds him on a pass from near midfield. A bit less zest on that one and it's a whole new ballgame.

48th—Zizzo with a nice run and nifty pass to himself around Juninho to earn a Portland corner kick. Nagbe taking it.

49th—Nagbe sends it low into Chará, who boots it back to him. Nagbe centers and Horst is called for a flying foul.

50th—Donovan passes one in the box for Birchall, but he can't quite get to it and Portland earns possession. LA looking more aggressive here, and Portland is bending (like ... nevermind) but not breaking.

51st—Palmer goes to Cooper, who launches from 45 yards out after he sees Saunders off his line. It's just over the crossbar but puts a scare in the former Timber keeper. That would've been an interesting way for the struggling Cooper to break his goalless drought.

52nd—Birchall with a shot from distance, but it's well wide left and no issue for Perkins.

54th—Palmer with a long throw in deep in LA's end and Cooper ties to backfoot it, but can't get enough on it. Chabala with a great tackle in the box and he's down in the crescent. Trainers run out to tend to him, and he's back on his feet, though favoring his lower back on the left side.

56th—Chabala back on the field as TA chants his name. Spencer was yelling something at him ... I doubt it was a chant.

57th—With everyone forward, Cooper leads a break with Perlaza and makes a dynamite pass to the top of the box to Jorge. Gonzalez closes in and forces Perlaza to a tight angle, and his shot is deflected out for a PTFC corner kick. Zizzo takes it from the east side and after a Perlaza header, LA gains possession.

59th—Becks with a long pass from just inside midfield to find Cristman, who dives for a header that goes just wide. Spot-on delivery by Beckham—he might just have a future in this game.

61st—Thirty minutes remaining. Portland holding its own, but LA is looking more and more dangerous. Zizzo takes a pass from Nagbe and dances a bit. Trying to earn a corner he takes a shot from a tight angle, but he mis-strikes it and it's a goal kick for the Galaxy.

63rd—Lopez fires from distance and Perkins goes to his right for it, but he can't get a finger on it and it's a goal kick. Cooper uses his body to maintain possession at midfield, then uses his head to play one forward to Perlaza, but Jorge is offside.

65th—Donovan takes down Brunner from behind after he's triple teamed in the box and cut off. That's a yellow for Landon, and the crowd loves it, but they're booing because Donovan's face is on the screen.

66th—Nagbe with a header ahead toward Cooper, but he's beaten to the ball by Gonzalez.

67th—Nagbe puts some moves on and passes it back to Chabala who tries the same approach. Corner kick earned on his deflected shot.

68th—TIMBERS GOAL Unreal. Zizzo corner kick goes right to Brunner, who heads it past a helpless Saunders. Portland leads 3-0 and anyone who told you they predicted this is lying to your face. Brunner cut in from the right on a corner, beat his marker and headed it in from inside of six and Portland is looking pretty poised.

70th—Juninho takes a shot from the top of the box, but Perkins is all over it.

71st—And the "BEAT LA" chant starts.

73rd—Lopez tries to play a two-man game with Donovan, but his pass is just long and the Timbers have a goal kick coming. Perkins taking his sweet time. Can you blame him?

74th—Handball called at midfield and Portland plays it back to Perkins. Goal kick flicked ahead by Perlaza and Cooper gives chase, but Saunders flies in to grab it. Brunner takes another shot. He's really taken a beating from LA, but man, his D has been outstanding.

76th—Juninho plays one into the box and Marcelin with a great stretch to knock it away. It leads to a Cooper run, and he fires a shot from just inside the box that's deflected out and gives PTFC a corner kick.

77th—Zizzo sends it in, but nothing doing. Goal kick for LA played past midfield and Horst picks up a foul 35 yards out. Right in Becks' range. He bends it in and Nagbe knocks it high over the goal line to give LA a corner.

78th—Beckham corner nearly finds the net, but it's just over the cross bar and Perkins' reach. Goal kick for Portland.

79th—Chará and Nagbe lead a break, but Diego can't spot Darlington. Nagbe finally gets it and his shot is immediately deflected back to Chabala. He fires from distance, but it's well high and right.

81st—Timbers looking winded, but it might be too late for Galaxy to capitalize. For LA, Dan Keat enters to replace Juninho.

82nd—Keat's first touch and he fires from 40 yards. No threat to Perkins and Keat's teammates don't exactly look pleased with that decision.

83rd—Pass goes into Cooper in the six-yard box, but he's tied up enough and can't turn and shoot.

84th—Chará gets a yellow. That'll be a suspension next game.

85th—Rodney Wallace enters for Nagbe. Defensive substitution and fresh legs down the stretch. Nagbe's most minutes of the season.

86th—LA throw-in deep in Portland's end. Franklin crosses to the right and Becks clips one in the box. Chabala tries to play it out and Keat gets ahold of it and lets 'er rip, but it's well high over the cross bar.

87th—Umony enters for Perlaza. Great match for Jorge. He was active as hell.

88th—Timbers showing patience here as Cooper has it up top but can't get a shot off.

89th—Zizzo picks up a yellow on a tackle from behind on Donovan. Free kick for Beckham, and he curls it in. Perkins with a great read on the ball and goes up and gets it.

90th—Dunivant crosses in front and Perkins gets a fingertip on it. Corner kick coming for LA as Alhassan comes in for Zizzo. No indication of how much stoppage.

FULL TIME—Portland wins 3-0. Cue Al Michaels: "Do you believe in miracles?" An absolute shocker here and Timbers fans are going nuts. A completely unexpected result for a team that's been all but left for dead. The Galaxy suffer their first loss in months and Portland gives the home fans an MLS win for the first time since May 21.

Back from the locker room, and needless to say, things were a tad lighter than they've been in months. Still, nobody was bouncing off the walls, and the business-as-usual vibe in the room was somewhat surprising since winning of late hasn't exactly been, well, business-as-usual in Timberland. Spencer's post-match presser was downright jovial and guys seemed focused on turning the season on this result.

And boy, a win like this—not just a win, but a win like this—and that old feeling this club capable of big things comes bubbling again to the surface. To absolutely roll past the best team in the league the way Portland did tonight (winning 50/50 balls, playing physical defense, smartly using/tempering aggression), you can't help but think there's some life left in these Timbers.

More tomorrow, including video of Spencer's full post-match presser and even more from the Timbers' locker room. Until then ...