(8) Portland Timbers (7,6,9, 30 points) vs (3) Minnesota United (10,8,4,34 points)
Saturday July 30, 2022 KO 12:00 PM PST
Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Portland Timbers are going to their house of horrors in Allianz Field. It won’t be an easy endeavor as well playing one of their most difficult of foes in Minnesota United.
So far, for the Rose City side are on an unbeaten run of seven games, but ever since the Loons inception since 2015, the Loons have had the upper edge on the Timbers with seven wins, 1 draw, and three losses.
Who could forget how the Portland Boys broke the dominance last season with a 3-1 win over the Loons in the first round of the playoffs eliminating them to their disbelief, after the Loons swept them in the regular season?
However, nothing is written and with both sides playing good football, we may see a lot of sparks fly in this early scheduled affair in the Twin Cities as every match between these two there’s always filled with a lot of controversies.
With the return of Sebastian Blanco in the starting lineup alongside maybe seeing Eryk Williamson from the start alongside with Santiago Moreno, the Timbers are in need of delivering a memorable afternoon.
Seeing on target and inspired, the likes of Jaroslaw Niezgoda looking to add to his goal count in the season and extend it to the point of possibly disputing the league’s Golden Boot.
The defense really needs to be in its best game and become very stingy to the likes of Franco Fragapane, Emmanuel Reynoso, Michael Boxall, and Bongokhule-Hlongwane, as these latter ones were among the Loons players selected recently in the MLS Team of the Week.
The defense will need to be very serious with its approach to some of the Loons’ attackers very open to display their skills whenever they play the Timbers as well keep the likes of Aljaz Ivacic calm and focus in the course of this match.
We will see how determined are these Portland Timbers to see a continuance of its unbeaten run so far and come big with three points on the road where the Loons have a fair record at home, but they can be vulnerable.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Santiago Moreno, Sebastian Blanco, Yimmi Chara; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Minnesota United FC @ New England Revolution (Credit Rick Wilson – ProstAmerika.com)
Minnesota United Briefly
After a slow start for Minnesota United and being below the postseason line and looking a bit desperate to make an improvement, they now find themselves situated in third place in the Western Conference.
For manager Adrian Heath, coming with a few injuries in his roster alongside the Timbers, I dare to say that this match will be one disputed one, despite his Loons having the upper advantage over the Timbers.
Still, this can be anyone’s game and if the Portland Timbers come with their comeback mentality, I do foresee a very contested match over at the Twin Cities, where the Portland side hasn’t been able to obtain a favorable result.
Nothing is written in soccer and anything can happen at Allianz Field, as their last meeting the Portland Timbers shook off its Loons demons and moved on all the way to MLS Cup last season.
Probable Lineup:
GK Dayne St. Clair, Kemar Lawrence, Bakaye Dibassy, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; Nabilai- Kibunguchy, Robin Lod; Franco Fragapane, Joseph Rosales, Bongokhule-Hlongwane; Luis Amarilla
Meetings
11/21/2021 Portland Timbers 3-1 Minnesota United
07/24/2021 Minnesota United 2-1 Portland Timbers
06/26/2021 Portland Timbers 0-1 Minnesota United
Forecast
The way these Loons are playing lately, this will be one challenged match for the PTFC
Portland Timbers
Minnesota United FC
