(10) Portland Timbers (3,4,6, 15 points) vs (1) Philadelphia Union (5,1,6, 21 points)
Sunday May 22, 2022, KO 7:00 PM PST/ 10:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Timbers’ inconsistency showed again as they succumbed to a hard pushing San Jose and in the end on Wednesday.
Again, teamwork was absent and that took a heavy toll on the Rose City side with a profound 3-2 loss thanks to a late Jamiro Monteiro goal in the 80th minute of the game.
What can get this team to play in unity like the way they did it against SKC and get results? When can some players get the idea of not affecting the team with their reckless play as well as become more involved from start to finish?
What does Gio need to do or what kind of shake-off this team needs to get in a positive streak at home and mostly on the road? When will this team become serious in its game?
Many interrogatives and no immediate responses, as well to being a strong foe at home I have my doubts with a toughened Philadelphia Union coming to town with a very impressive record and unstoppable in their game.
Teamwork makes the dream work this team needs to display more consistency in its game and take its rivals more seriously to make the desired turnaround in the remainder of this challenging season.
Finally, we can state that Sebastian Blanco and Diego Chara are back in the starting lineup as well seeing Cristhian Paredes having a one-of-a-kind season and Eryk Williamson fully recovered in his game.
Adding players of the likes of Bill Tuiloma becoming the leading scorer of the Timbers, the defense looks stable, but needs to pressure more as well Josecarlos Van Rankin getting his act together playing with more technique.
Injuries can take a toll on a team, but its players need to step up and deliver. Can Portland take advantage of its condition locally and deliver an upset over Eastern Conference first-place Philadelphia Union?
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Justin Rasmusen; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Cristhian Paredes, Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco; Nathan Fogaca
Mar 19, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Jakob Glesnes (5) talks with New York City midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) in front of referee Ted Unkel during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Union Briefly
For Union manager Jim Curtin, seeing his team making a serious statement as one of the favorites to possibly lift MLS Cup in the end is taking things one match at a time and with favorable results.
Coming to Providence Park, the Union are displaying a positive road record of 2-1-2. This translates that this team can deliver results on the road as a visitor.
A great foursome on its backfield alongside their star keeper Andre Blake are the foundations for is offensive game led by USMNT Alejandro Bedoya and Leon Flach.
The team currently is in first place in the Eastern Conference as well as fourth overall in the race for the Supporters Shield with a blink from Austin, LAFC, or FC Dallas; the Union can make its move!
Very well the 4-1-2-1-2 formation used by Jim Curtin is producing the results as proof of their position in the standings. Can they deliver an upset at home to the Portland Timbers?
Probable Lineup:
GK Andre Blake, Oliver Mbaizo, Jakob Glesnes, Stuart Findlay, Kai Wagner; Jack Elliott; Alejandro Bedoya, Leon Flach; Daniel Gazdag; Cory Burke, Sergio Santos
Meetings
05/30/2021 Philadelphia Union 3-0 Portland Timbers
08/05/2020 Philadelphia Union 1-2 Portland Timbers
05/25/2019 Philadelphia Union 1-3 Portland Timbers
Forecast
A must-win for the Portland Timbers at home
