(9) Portland Timbers (7, 8, 4, 25 points) vs (3) Seattle Sounders (10, 5, 5, 35 points)
Sunday July 21, 2019 6:30 PM PST/ 9:30 PM EST
Century Link Park, Seattle, Washington
Portland Timbers at a glance
The Portland Timbers are in need of an immediate win to boost their confidence levels.
With back to back draws against Colorado and Orlando City, the Timbers playing as locals, many saw them coming as victors, in the end they had to settle with the share of spoils.
So far, the Rose City squad is suffering horribly in its initial eleven with some players out in DL and not giving their best game, this struggle somehow is becoming a deterrent in the Timbers game and for their postseason aspirations.
An example of the way many players frustrations were vented after the Orlando game, when they completely dominated with 63% possession and out shooting Orlando City 25-3.
That was then and now the focus of this group is to start generating once again important results, among one of them a win over Seattle will be considered immense!
If you recall last year the Portland Timbers got two important results at Century Link Park.
In this edition of the Cascadia Derby, the Portland Timbers must stop the Sounders winning streak these are suddenly showing at home, after their last week win against Atlanta United.
For Giovanni Savarese if he puts an ideal strategy in the field and with his starting eleven playing in complete unity, we may have a contest in favor of his Timbers.
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Moreira, Larry’s Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Zarek Valentin; Cristhian Paredes, Diego Chara; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Marvin Loria; Brian Fernandez
Seattle Sounders at a glance
For manager Brian Schmetzer, since taking over the helm of the Seattle Sounders, the man has embraced the importance of this rivalry.
However, with his side being eliminated by the Portland Timbers in the semifinals of the Western Conference and this year in the USOC, this match has all the elements of a rematch.
The Seattle Sounders after last weekend win against the defending champions and looking forward to extend their winning streak to four, a win over the Timbers will be amazing for manager Schmetzer.
Contrary a loss at home and coming from his squad utmost of rivals, the need to deliver for his initial eleven for sure these have to put on their best game.
Still for the Seattle Sounders we will see his best initial eleven in the field and raise to the occasion, but until then, once again this match will be the league highlight in “Rivalry Week”.
GK Stefan Frei, Kevin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Kim Kee-hee, Brad Smith; Gustav Svensson, Cristian Roldan; Jordan Morris, Nicolas Lodeiro, Harry Shipp; Raul Ruidiaz
Meetings
November 8, 2018 Seattle Sounders 3-2 Portland Timbers
November 4, 2018 Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders
August 26, 2018 Portland Timbers 0-1 Seattle Sounders
June 30, 2018 Seattle Sounders 2-3 Portland Timbers
May 13, 2018 Portland 1-0 Seattle Sounders
Prediction
Seattle Sounders come as the favorites but the Portland Timbers desperately need the win
