(12) Portland Timbers (6,11,8, 26 points) vs (4) Real Salt Lake (10,8,7, 37 points)
Wednesday August 30, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Despite the Miles Joseph era starting with a loss, still something caught my attention and it was the way the team saw a number of improvements and put on an amazing fight in the end.
The team saw development especially with possessing the ball at 63.8 % in both halves, with five shots directly at goal and 17 shots overall. The team is looking good despite just a couple of days under their new manager.
Rome wasn’t built in one day, but the team progress is something that makes its followers maybe thinking of a possible run into the postseason, but too early to tell as the Timbers are in for the long haul.
However, one thing the new manager must do is institute discipline, something all players need to be on the same page. The need for some players to get in rhythm and be on the same page of its new skipper.
The team cannot afford to have players out of composure as Evander lately despite his contributions, gets very easily in trouble with his reckless game and at all times his nonsense fouls.
The defense needs to really step up its game and become stingier with every play and not allow the opposing sides any liberties in their game.
In the last few games, the defensive game has been null and non-existent as well the arrival of Araujo should be providential, but no show of that player the Peruvian once was and the man hasn’t adjusted completely to the Timbers game.
The importance of manager Joseph is to give this side is a step up in its defensive game and the need to improve in this department and become more consistent defensively in every game.
As many state that defense wins games, this is an approach to be taken very seriously by the interim boss as something that the team needs it if they are to make a run into the playoffs.
Progress for this team will be done in baby steps despite many depositing their hopes in this team making a successful run to the postseason if they give more minutes to the young players such as Antony, Noel Caliskan, Diego Gutierrez, and Tyler Gregg.
This will give these lads more confidence in their game as well on the field of play, but time will become their best ally, by far the team is seeing a positive and time will be this team’s best ally.
Time to move forward and don’t look back!
Real Salt Lake Briefly
For manager Pablo Mastroeni, things are turning around at Rio Tinto Stadium and making the Claret and Cobalt into a force to be reckoned with and making them into all around contenders.
The man suddenly has brought back the meaning of competition to these parts of Utah and making this team more competitive under his helm and looking towards the postseason spots.
After their elimination recently in US Open Cup by the Houston Dynamo in semifinals, the Claret and Cobalt is becoming a team to watch come the postseason as I do foresee a tough and very competitive side to beat.
With the team so far, the man is delivering results with RSL currently seeded in fourth place in the Western Conference. Mastroeni is making this team favorites to give everyone a surprise and maybe make it into MLS Cup.
Meetings
05/17/2023 Real Salt Lake 0-0 Portland Timbers
05/10/2023 Portland Timbers 3-4 Real Salt Lake
10/09/2022 Real Salt Lake 3-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Portland Timbers saw a big improvement but fell short against the Caps, can they rebound against RSL
