(7) Portland Timbers (9,8,4, 31 points) vs (5) Minnesota United (10, 7, 5, 35 points)
Sunday August 4, 2019 1:00 PM PST/ 4:00 PM EST
Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Portland Timbers at a glance
Another long stay in the road for the Portland Timbers playing a double header in Twin Cities.
With a league match on Sunday and on Wednesday staging the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, the outlook of a challenging series, with no doubt awaits the Rose City City squad.
However, for these hardened Timbers, positive turnaround in these stages of league play, by far one of their utmost of goals is to solidify their positions in the overall table.
On Wednesday, with just three days rest, they have a golden opportunity to crown their efforts with a pass to their first finals of the U.S. Open Cup with a win over the Loons.
As the way this team is playing one mean game of football with a revival in its defensive game as well its attacking options becoming lethal to the opposition, I foresee a positive outcome.
For manager Giovanni Savarese, he is aware of the Loons positive streak, similar to his team but with the United side, back to back draws, something tells me of this squad scoring drought.
The Timbers sporting wins over Seattle on the road and LA Galaxy at home, these results peak aloud of the Portland squad seriousness of making an impact in this season.
To come to Allianz Field and net a couple of wins, somehow will be a tough but not an impossible task for the Rose City Boys coming with all the momentum and energies to win.
By the way as results speak in favor of the Portland Timbers,becoming a tough foe and successful so far on the road, these are looking forward a double win in Twin Cities.
Being the big prize a pass into the finals in the USOC.
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Moreira, Larry’s Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Jeremy Ebobisse; Brian Fernandez
Minnesota United at a glance
For Adrian Heath, the man is pleased to see how this season his Loons are playing one amazing game football, if his side continues with their level, they are bracing for their first postseason.
Still, the road to the promise land will be paved with a number of challenges.
Being one of them, the Portland Timbers, a team they must face twice in a time span of seven days and with a crucial game on Wednesday in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
As these Timbers with back to back wins, against Seattle in Century Link Park and at home over the L.A. Galaxy, the Rose City side comes with a reputation of playing the role of spoilers.
So far, the Minnesota side with just a loss in Allianz Field, their positive streak at home for sure will be put in a huge test against the visiting Timbers, displaying a top of the line defensive game and an unstoppable attack.
GK Vito Manone, Romain Metanire, Ike Opara, Michael Boxall, Chase Gasper; Jan Gregus, Osvaldo Alonso; Ethan Finlay, Darwin Quintero, Miguel Ibarra; Angel Rodriguez
Meetings
September 22, 2018 Minnesota 3-2 Portland Timbers
April 14, 2018 Portland Timbers 3-2 Minnesota United
June 27, 2017 Minnesota United 3-2 Portland Timbers
March 3, 2017 Portland Timbers 5-1 Minnesota United
Prediction
Minnesota comes as the overall favorites but do not discard these Portland Timbers turnaround
