(8) Portland Timbers (8,8,12, 36 points) vs (2) Austin FC (15,6,6, 51 points)
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 KO 6:00 PM PST
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
Portland Timbers Briefly
What an amazing win to cap a roller coaster season for the Portland Timbers and winning the always-contested Cascadia Cup against a troubled Seattle Sounders on Friday night in Providence Park!
However, for manager Giovanni Savarese, after his team took the lead, still he managed to bunker his players defensibly instead of trying to extend his team’s lead with an insurance goal.
A win is a win and against their foes from up north, and this win uplifts the spirits and confidence of the Timbers in this final run where they meet teams of the likes of Minnesota, Atlanta, Columbus, and LAFC.
With every match and point on the line being disputed, I can foresee this team putting on a good fight and putting wins in their favor as well looking to assure a spot in the postseason, but let’s take it one game at a time.
Going back to Friday’s match against the Sounders, the Timbers never gave up and fought all evening long and their persistence surely paid off with an amazing win and bringing another trophy to their halls.
After Austin comes Atlanta and then Minnesota, three matches that the Portland Boys are in need of winning and that can really deliver a lot of confidence to them in this final stretch. Gio was bold enough with his lineup.
The question is how intrepid will he be in making some much needed adjustments in his starting eleven and hopefully sooner than later we can see Juan David Mosquera making his debut as a Portland Timber.
In the end, this team in the final games its when they put on their best game and deliver with the hopes of earning some wins and earn a spot in the playoffs, can they do it?
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Zac McGraw, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco; Dairon Aspirilla
Colorado Rapids host Austin FC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4, 2022. Photo Credit: LA Brothers / Prost Amerika
Austin FC Briefly
What a season for second manager Josh Wolff and his Austin FC, currently seeded in second place in the Western Conference trailing Supporters Shield leaders LAFC, by six points after their defeat on Friday night by a score of 4-1.
For second year Austin, this season has been unforgettable and being at times in the lead in the Supporters Shield race. This season has turn out to be a sensational one for the Verde.
Still, every match is a challenge and with the Rose City side coming to town with an all-time high in their confidence, the Texas side has to really display a good game defensively as well offensively and try to derail the visitors’ momentum.
Despite for Portland showing a not so strong game as a visitor, this can be anyone’s game and for the Timbers three points for sure will become a highlight in this final stretch with every point counting.
As Austin FC, for sure will be ready and looking to consolidate its supremacy at home as a strong and not-to-be messed with team. For them, a trophy for sure can be the highlight of their amazing 2022 season.
Probable Lineup:
GK Brad Stuver, Nick Lima, Julio Cascante, Ruben Gabrielsen, Jon Gallagher; Alexander Ring, Daniel Pereira; Ethan Finlay, Sebastian Druissi, Diego Fagundez; Maxi Urruti
Meetings
03/12/2022 Portland Timbers 1-0 Austin FC
11/07/2021 Portland Timbers 3-0 Austin FC
08/21/2021 Austin FC 3-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Another tough outing on the road for the Portland Timbers against an improved Austin FC
Portland Timbers
Austin FC
