A resilient Union looking to boost their confidence with an upset in the Rose City

The hottest Ticket in MLS, the Portland Timbers(Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).

Portland Timbers (9, 3, 7, 34 points) vs Philadelphia Union (8, 10, 3, 27 points)

Saturday August 4, 2018 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 EST

Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

Portland Timbers at a glance

Strong mentality and hard work have been the recipe for success for these perfection ridden Portland Timbers. Still this upcoming Saturday match against the visiting Philadelphia Union will be an all-around challenge.

If there is one thing that characterizes and is a highlight for the Timbers it is their perseverance and fighting spirit. In 2018 they are sporting a perfect 6-0-3 record at home. This Portland squaddoes not surrender easily, particularly at home.

So far, for the Portland Timbers every game considered a challenge. Especially in this campaign as many of these squads hungry to stand out and looking forward to move within their conferences tables. The squad from the City of Brotherly Love will not be displaying that type of football here in Providence Park.

Still for the Rose City squad after last week spectacular win over Houston they are on a momentum riding frenzy and looking forward to see a continuance of their perfect record at home and their strong run in the league. Again: the Timbers are a side that does not go down easy.

Therefore, for manager Giovanni Savarese once again making a repeat in his strategy and looking forward to counter on the visitors’ game. For sure, he will repeat his 5-3-2 formation, to boost his club defense.

GK Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell, Larry’s Mabiala, Lawrence Olum, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin- Andy Polo, Diego Chara, Andres Flores- Diego Valeri, Dairon Aspirilla

Philadelphia Union at a glance

For manager Jim Curtin last week saw his side earn a win over the Houston Dynamo. That tells you how renewed this squad is in this 2018 edition of MLS. After eight seasons since coming as an expansion team to league play, the Union has only managed a couple of postseason appearances.

The Union is currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and within a point of sixth place New England. As this weekend despite playing a squad seen as one tough foe to beat and riding with a perfect record. The Philly Boys are not impressed or intimidated by their foes achievements.

For the Union, a win away and spoiling the perfect run for their hosts at home. For manager Curtin using a formation that uplifts his offensive game. Especially in its offensive, game that in its midfield has performed wonders and can give the Timbers defense a headache.

With a formation that sent three attacking midfielders and one striker up front. This strategy has worked wonders for the Union manager. As these threesome demons in the midfield in Fafa Picault, Borek Dockal and David Accam and supplying a renewed Corey Burke in the front. This foursome will be a total headache for the Timbers defenders, as manager Curtin sends a 4-2-3-1

GK Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis- Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya- David Accam, Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault- Cory Burke

Meetings

April 8, 2017 Philadelphia Union 1, Portland Timbers 3

Forecast

Portland will be looking for the win, maybe a two goal win.