(8) Portland Timbers (7, 7, 12, 33 points) vs (14) Sporting Kansas City (6,15,5, 23 points)
Sunday, August 21, 2022 KO 4:30 PM PST
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Portland Timbers Briefly
Strong words from a what it looks as a frustrated manager seeing how its side allowed two back-to-back late goals from Il Magnifico Lorenzo Insigne and the Architect of Fiorentina Federico Bernasdechi.
With a serious statement of him mentioning some of his players not showing off as well not giving their best in their game, that is one serious way of speaking loudly of his team not being able to seal the deal.
However, going against a team trying to awake but, in the end, it gets frustrating with the way the Timbers cannot hold on leads and seeing some of its notable players sidelined with season ending injuries.
Still, as you recall when that goal rout over SKC back in May, the Portland side delivered a 7-2 goal fest over the Midwest side when their defenses became vulnerable to an inspired Portland Timbers playing at home.
This time, Portland pays a visit to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, and despite the former Wiz looking to improve, they have succumbed to the push and persistence from its foes.
To see a defender score the tying goal, something tells me the inability to see an effective offensive attack that despite the efforts of Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara ,and Sebastian Blanco; the Timbers aren’t showing any signs of improvement.
With Felipe Mora out for the remainder of the season, the responsibilities will fall on Jaroslaw Niezgoda and time for Giovanni Savarese to start making some bold moves for the number nine position to start seeing some much-needed goals.
On the defensive game, some players have to be fully focused as well as alert for whoever they face off with and not be intimidated by the opposing players pedigree. In the end, kudos to Aljaz Ivacic stepping up his game as well perfecting it in every match.
The Portland Timbers currently are seeded in ninth places on 33 points and with the challenge from Seattle Sounders currently seeded in tenth places on 32 points, followed by Colorado Rapids in 11th place on 31 points.
Lastly, the Vancouver Whitecaps in seventh place with 33 points and ahead of Nashville and Portland on wins, for sure all of these three can became a handful for the Portland Timbers in the remainder of the season, as all squads mentioned are looking to seize the conference’s last spot for the postseason.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Santiago Moreno, Sebastian Blanco, Yimmi Chara; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Sporting Kansas City Briefly
What an uneventful season Peter Vermes and his former Wizards are having, after a number of notable players injured and out for the season, the man that has made a contender out of Sporting Kansas City is not having a good campaign.
Despite the team’s good showing against Austin FC last week, unfortunately the defensive backfield didn’t hold its ground and surrendered four goals in what became an epic rally for the home side netting a valuable win.
Still, the team for now has to focus on moving out of the cellar and try to at least salvage their season by at least moving out of the cellar and try to at least finish on as high a note as possible.
Despite some of its most notable players like Johnny Russell trying to rally the offensive game as well Graham Zusi trying to do his best in the backfield, as well their super sub Marinos Tzionis is looking impossible for SKC turnaround, this team is lacking a lot of power, come Sunday these will be handed the underdog label.
Probable Lineup:
GK John Pulskamp, Ben Sweat, Andreu Fontas, Nicolas Isimat, Graham Zusi; Erik Thommy, Remi Walter, Roger Espinoza; Daniel Salloi, William Agada, Johnny Russell
Meetings
05/14/2022 Portland Timbers 7-2 Sporting Kansas City
08/18/2021 Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Portland Timbers
06/19/2021 Portland Timbers 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
Forecast
Can the Portland Timbers get back on the winning side against cellar stricken SKC?
Portland Timbers
Sporting Kansas City
