(8) Portland Timbers (13, 13, 5, 44 points) vs (7) New England Revolution (10, 10, 11, 41 points)
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
A scoring drought is suddenly possessed the Portland Timbers lately in three matches, averaging a total of 270 scoreless minutes.
Still for manager Giovanni Savarese is business as usual and aware of the importance every remaining match means for his team, especially if they would like to seize a spot for the postseason.
Man, what did this team do to the league as in their playoff scenarios, they do not consider the Portland Timbers but instead they mention the Colorado Rapids, in spite of trailing the Rose City side by 5 points.
Contrary to the Timbers just a point behind San Jose and with possibilities of jumping above the red line, with the probabilities of seizing a spot.
One thing for sure this midweek game will see pure fireworks and a contest put by both teams in the field, as a draw or a loss is not in the plans of neither side, meaning and end to their season.
I do not doubt the Portland side defensive game coming up big, but the question arises for the frontal attack not to be dependent solely in Diego Chara, Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco.
The need of a finisher is elemental to score goals and both Jeremy Ebobisse and Brian Fernandez is in their responsibility to deliver that finishing touch to seal a much-needed win and hopes alive.
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Moreira, Larry’s Mabiala, Claude Dielna, Zarek Valentin; Renzo Zambrano, Diego Chara; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Jeremy Ebobisse; Brian Fernandez
New England Revolution at a glance
The arrival of Bruce Arena to Gillette Stadium somehow was a providential one for this troubled team in the middle of this season, seeing an end to its struggles but momentarily.
By seeing a turnaround for the better and the team escalating above the postseason spots, suddenly the Revolution hit a brick wall and is posting a not so positive run lately.
As its position above the red line hangs by a thread.
Still nothing to be alarmed as a draw maybe they can hang on with a couple of wins in the remainder of the season or see its closest chasers in Chicago and the Montreal Impact succumbed in the end.
A tie in Rose City will be somehow a not so positive result as the need to win for the Revs, is a must and look for a comfortable spot in the table with a positive finish.
GK Matt Turner, Brandon Bye, Andrew Farrell, Antonio Milnar de la Mea, De Juan Jones; Carles Gil, Luis Caicedo, Wilfred Zahibo, Cristian Penilla; Juan Fernando Caicedo, Teal Burnbury
Meetings
September 1, 2018 New England Revolution 1-1 Portland Timbers
April 2, 2017 Portland Timbers 1-1 New England Revolution
April 27, 2016 New England Revolution 1-1 Portland Timbers
June 6, 2015 Portland Timbers 2-0 New England Revolution
Forecast
Two teams with a not so positive skid, in my opinion, this is one even affair
Portland Timbers
NE Revolution
