(10) Portland Timbers (2,3,2, 8 points) vs (5) LAFC (3,3,1, 10 points)
Saturday April 13, 2024 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
What a stunner at Children’s Mercy Park last Sunday when everything looked like it was a sure defeat and, in the end, the Green and Gold rallied to share the spoils in Kansas City, Kansas.
However, the Timbers have a foe that has had the upper edge on the Rose City side since its inception to Major League Soccer back in 2015.
Still, the need for the Timbers is to play their game in its entirety, displaying a good game unlike their last two games.
Defense wins games and lately we’ve been seeing a number of players struggling to keep up their game and looking forward to see a turnaround and looking forward to get their form back.
The return of Claudio Bravo somehow doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in the defensive backfield as he provoked the penalty in the 60th minute. Araujo somehow doesn’t connect as a center back after his deflection for Agada’s first goal.
What to say about Mosquera being substituted by Bravo in the 46th minute, as well seeing Diego Chara coming out too in the 54th and substituted by Ayala who had an excellent game.
Are Kamal and Eric Miller the only players focusing on defense? I cannot describe the way these two are playing lately and keeping up the defensive game. Eric Miller is not only scoring as well as defending. The man has become and indisputable starter.
What’s wrong with Jonathan Rodriguez as well as Santiago Moreno as both players have placed their hopes on their manager and they aren’t delivering as they should. As for Antony, the man has become the focal point of opposing defenses.
The need for some players to step their game is imperative if this team is to make it into the postseason and not miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
For sure Evander’s game is being uplifted and becoming the leader the Timbers in their attack, but the Carioca can still deliver more as well give us a more of that beautiful game of Jogo Bonito as they call it in Brazil!
Photo Credit Los Angeles Football Club
LAFC Briefly
Class act for the Black and Gold in their last week meeting in El Trafico, after defeating their cross-town foes the LA Galaxy in a convincing fashion. Something tells me that the Portland Timbers won’t have a field day.
For manager Steve Cherundolo, its back to business and every game counts as well as its importance for his team to perform in every one of them as it was like a cup final and somehow, he has set his eyes in MLS Cup.
Despite missing on important players, Cherundolo has been able to accommodate his game as well strategies into good use by simply winning its matches and not looking back as they take it one game at a time.
In the history of the LAFC since coming to league play, they have an edge over the Rose City side, with manager Neville facing the Tinsel Town side for the first time. This will be a total challenge for the Timbers first year manager.
Meetings
09/09/2023 Portland Timbers 2-0 LAFC
03/04/2023 LAFC 3-2 Portland Timbers
10/02/2022 Portland Timbers 1-2 LAFC
Forecast
Both teams come with a lot of momentum, as both come from big accomplishments
Portland Timbers
