FC Dallas (1-0-1, 4 points) versus Portland Timbers (0-2-0, 0 points)
3:30 pm EST/12:30 pm PST UniMas
Portland Timbers at a glance:
With a negative start in this campaign, the Portland Timbers are looking forward their first win of this 2018. As many questions surround the likes of first year manager Giovanni Savarese. With two losses, one goal scored and six allowed this Portland side is in need of a win. After all this 2018, the first five matches the Rose City squad is playing on the road and so far netting two losses. Still let us not dramatize and throw this campaign away and dubbing it as a losing one. Nothing to fear as well with more than thirty matches left in the campaign. This club can stage a comeback and a revival anytime. The question is more of a matter of when and who will be the catalyst to start it.
Having a bye week may have been just what the doctor ordered for this side. Over the last two weeks of practice the side has undergone an arduous training regimen set up by Savarese and his staff. The hope is that with time off the club has corrected many of the problems that were exposed in the early stages. Now is the time for this club to present a far different game in their next outing. Once again, this match is on the road and at the always-difficult Toyota Stadium. As Toyota Park has been a difficult venue for the Portland squad in the past so the hope is that maybe things can be a little different this time.
The biggest question entering into this match is what kind of formation and lineup manager Giovanni Savarese will utilize. With Portland going to Big D as visitors and given their track record there he may go a bit conservative. Then again Portland squad has the advantage of getting a bye and coming more rested and ready to display an excellent match.
Some fresh blood may help. Diego Chara was more involved in the scrimmages in training and the possibility of seeing Jeff Attinella making a comeback. Both are probable entering into Saturday’s match.
However, until game time we may see the initial eleven sent to the field by manager Savarese. Still with the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation sent again with the possibilities of seeing as Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson (Jeff Attinella), Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala (Julio Cascante), Liam Ridgewell and Marco Farfan (Bill Tuiloma) Defensive midfielders Cristhian Paredes, Andres Flores (Diego Chara) Attacking midfielders Dairon Aspirilla, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, attacking forward Fanendo Adi ( Samuel Armenteros).
FC Dallas at a glance:
FC Dallas so far in this 2018 campaign have had a largely positive run earning a draw and a resounding win over a hapless Seattle Sounders. By displaying a match, that everything went their way. The FC Dallas had a picture perfect afternoon in Frisco, Texas displaying a one of a kind match. One by taking advantage after the Sounders talisman Clint Dempsey had shown a red card and the visitors left with ten men. The FC displayed a magnificent match with a three-goal rout and with a ferocious defense preserving a clean sheet.
The highlight of this match was midfielder Ronald Lamah scoring twice and getting a third from Maxi Urruti to seal the deal with a 3-0 rout. Now Dallas is looking forward to continue their undefeated against the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Toyota Park.
In this match FC Dallas manager Oscar Pareja will try to repeat the same formation from the Sounders match using a 4-2-3-1, which will show off their new defensive backfield and an improved offensive attack. If Dallas can build off of last week’s victory with another positive result against the Timbers it will go a long way towards showing that the side has learned from their woes in 2017.
Still the possible lineup sent by Pareja can be as follow: Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, Defenders HGP Reggie Cannon, Matt Hedges, Reto Ziegler, Anton Nedyalkov, Defensive midfielders Carlos Gruezo, Jacori Hayes, attacking midfielders Michael Barrios, Mauro Diaz and Ronald Lamah, attacker Maxi Urruti.
2017 Recap
Portland 2, Dallas 0
Dallas 2, Portland 2
Prediction: It will be a close match but in the end Dallas will come away with the vicotyr by one goal.
FC Dallas
Portland
