(4) Portland Timbers (3,2,1, 10 points) vs (7) San Jose Earthquakes (2,1,2, 8 points)
Wednesday August 26, 2020 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Earthquakes Stadium, San Jose, California
Week 7
Portland Timbers Briefly
Manager Giovanni Savarese aims to reconvene.
After getting a serious wakeup call last Sunday against the Seattle Sounders, he had to face a crude reality regarding his starting eleven.
Lacking was the confidence, unity, and excellence displayed in Orlando. In contrast, the Rose City showed us a defensive meltdown that led to a humiliating loss.
With that said, In Gio I trust! If he can lift the spirits of his starting 11, we’re going to have a competitive match.
It’s the surge of players like Chris Duvall who will make the difference, considered a comeback player for his contributions in Orlando, and Eryk Williamson, who played decently but is of course only human.
The Timbers simply cannot rely solely on Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco to orchestrate the attack. If the team can unite and move as one solid unit come game day, they will find a recipe for success in the regular season.
Though Portland will have two days to rest, this time they will have to travel – a factor that can affect their condition and game.
The Portland Timbers simply cannot afford to display another game filled with the inconsistencies that lead to last weekend’s defensive backfield meltdown.
The remainder of the regular season will be challenging and the Timbers needs to step up their game. We want to see unity and a hunger to win.
The Portland Timbers need to move on and bounce back!
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Chris Duvall, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson, Marvin Loria, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Jaroslaw Niezgoda
San Jose Earthquakes Briefly
Manager Matias Almeyda is facing a challenge in his starting lineup. The question is, Is there life after Magnus Eriksson? After all, his star midfielder left a big gap in the attacking midfield with his departure back to his old club Djugardens IF in Sweden.
Still, the Quakes displayed a new and dynamic style of play in the MLS is Back Tournament, becoming one of the surprises of the event.
Now their aim is to finish the season in the positive.
Matias Almeyda is on a quest, with the goal being building a contending team and looking for a successful run in the regular season, culminating with a spot in the postseason.
Entering his second year at the helm of Silicon Valley, it’s business as usual – nothing will stop him from making moves and putting out a competitive starting eleven.
The Quakes have an edge over the Rose City in games played at home, plus a win on Wednesday that certainly uplifted the team’s chance to earn a spot in the postseason.
As you recall last season, they missed the playoffs by four points.
Probable Lineup:
GK Daniel Vega, Tommy Thompson, Guram Kashia, Oswaldo Alanis, Nick Lima, Judson, Jackson Yueill, Cristian Espinoza, Chris Wondolowski, Valeri Qazaishvili, Andres Rios
Meetings
October 6, 2019 Portland Timbers 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
April 6, 2019 San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The San Jose Earthquakes come with a slight advantage, playing as locals.
