That may be the case after the Green and Gold had its doubters- after their rout last Sunday at Frisco, Texas against an inspired FC Dallas. As the Texans really played a great game against the visiting Timbers with their first win of the year.
Still, the Portland Timbers really played some amazing football in the first leg at Providence Park against Club America and not allowing the so-called Millionaires to display the game they are comfortable playing.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw with both sides scoring only via penalties. This tells you of what’s coming in leg 2 and what to expect in a possible finish being decided on penalty kicks.
Both sides will be looking to get the upper hand at Azteca Stadium in the second leg and advance to the Concacaf Champions League semifinals.
However, in the tale of the tape, we see a big difference between both clubs, as Club America is known to have enormous budgets contrary to the Timbers’ troubles in building up each season due to having modest finances.
Getting back to Wednesday’s game, the Timbers are not a team that gives up so easily and, in this season, they have shown a lot of fight and with a strong spirit of competition that for sure will be a handful to the local Eagles of Club America.
For this match, I do not doubt Club America manager Santiago Solari will put on the field a more offensive formation, possibly a 4-4-2, versus the more defensive one he put on at Providence Park in last Tuesday’s match with a 4-1-4-1.
Maybe, Gio with Jeremy Ebobisse back from the DL can put on a 4-4-2 with Jebo and Felipe Mora upfront, but do not count on it as he will probably go with his traditional 4-3-2-1 formation.
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Green and Gold need to put a stellar performance from start to finish with a stingy and dominating defensive game as well being accurate and dominant in their offensive game. When Club America is surprised and dominated, somehow, they can be easily mastered even at home.
Probable Lineup:
GK Jeff Attinella, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larry’s Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Dairon Aspirilla, Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara; Felipe Mora
Club America
Santiago Solari has an edge over the visiting Portland Timbers with home-field advantage and Mother Nature’s touch in this city’s altitude that can play the difference-maker in this game. As mentioned before, his player base can easily make the necessary adjustments in his lineup and these can be the difference makers.
Probable Lineup:
GK Guillermo Ochoa, Jorge Sanchez, Bruno Valdez, Sebastian Caceres, Luis Fuentes; Pedro Aquino; Leonardo Suarez, Richard Sanchez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Mauro Lainez; Roger Martinez
Portland Timbers
Club America
