Portland Timbers (8, 3, 6, 30 points) vs Montréal Impact (9, 12, 0, 27 points)
Saturday July 21, 2018 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
With their US Open Cup loss put behind, the Portland Timbers are ready for league action. With a Saturday night, match at home against Le Gars of the Montréal Impact. After a hectic and demanding week of football, the Portland side is ready to continue on their perfect run in the campaign. Still for the City of Mary squad, these too are playing a one of a kind football.
This match on Saturday at Providence Park, were the local Portland Boys are undefeated in the campaign. This match will put in a tough test the likes of the Rose City defensive game as well its attack. After the Impact draw back in 2016, this matchup between these two titans will be another exciting one in the colossus of Goose Hollow.
With both squads coming from midweek compromises in the US Open Cup and Canadian Championships. We can say this affair is an even one for both sides looking forward to continue adding points and assuring a spot in the top six of their conferences.
In five matches, both squads have shared two wins each and a tie. Coming this Saturday, these squads will be playing their sixth match in their MLS history. Coming to this match, manager Giovanni Savarese is fully aware of the explosiveness of this Impact squad top attacker Ignacio Piatti.
However, coming to this match Gio for sure will send his trademark 4-3-2-1 to counter Montreal’s attack. As they, state defense wins games and so far, the Portland Timbers backfield is playing one outstanding game of football. Improvising is one of Gio’s traits and with a suspended Diego Chara this will be his lineup.
GK Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell, Larry’s Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin- Andres Flores, Lawrence Olum, Andy Polo- Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco- Samuel Armenteros
Photo Credit: Don MacGregor
Montreal Impact at a glance
Finally, Remy Garde, Montreal first year man in the helm of Le Gars has found his winning side. After seeing a slump early in the campaign, all of a sudden Le Gars are playing like all around contenders. So far the Impact in nine matches have won seven and lost two.
Currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, with 9 wins and twelve losses and no draws. This 2018 has been a tough one for the Impact after a slow start. In this campaign manager Remy has been very keen in using a more offensives prone 4-3-3 formation.
Delivering notable results for him and his Gars and now situated above the red line. Still this campaign is far from over and in playing in what seems to be one of the most competed of associations. Nevertheless, this squad possesses one of the most lethal of attacks in Ignacio Piatti, Matteo Mancuso and Alejandro Silva.
Another notable point that manager Gard has highlighted is the way his squad has blanked its foes in two consecutive games. Earning clean sheets against San Jose and Vancouver, Garde has hailed his defensive backfield latest achievements. Very well seeing hos his initial eleven and game strategies have worked wonders for the French.
Ahead of this match the Montréal Impact, come with no suspensions or players in the DL. Still playing away is been a tough challenge for Le Gars this campaign. These by just posting only two wins with nine losses and no draws showing off this squad weak point.
Come Saturday the Montreal Boys are ready to deliver an upset in Providence Park. As they are aware of the Portland Timbers perfect run in the campaign at home and their invincibility. That is no deterrent of this squad looking forward to play the role of spoiler.
Besides, of this match being a duel of strategies between these two squad managers, for Remi Garde a repeat of his winning formation and lineup will put the local Timbers in high alert.
GK Evan Bush, Chris Duvall, Rudy Camacho, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz- Ken Krolicki, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taider- Alejandro Silva, Matteo Mancuso, Ignacio Piatti
Overall Meetings
May 20, 2017 Montreal Impact 4-1 Portland Timbers
July 13, 2016 Portland Timbers 1- 1 Montréal Impact
May 9, 2015 Montreal Impact 1- 2 Portland Timbers
July 27, 2014 Montreal Impact 2-3 Portland Timbers
March 9, 2013 Portland Timbers 1-2 Montreal Impact
Providence Park (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
Forecast
Portland with a solid defense and inspired in the attack can win this match by one goal
