(7) Portland Timbers (7,9,2, 23 points) vs (1) Sporting Kansas City (11,4,4, 37 points)
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, KO 5:30 PM
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Timbers are now known to be a strong road team, but after Sunday’s result, they are looking forward to delivering some much-needed wins on the road.
After Sunday’s game, Giovanni Savarese issue an apology to the Timbers fanbase and Diego Chara put it as something to focus on the next game and deliver results.
Still, the team needs to improve mostly on its defensive game not allowing any meltdowns or distractions, which in the end can become serious in the outcome of any game these play.
Luckily, they are still in the postseason spots, though with some teams pushing hard, in the end, the Timbers may see a struggle for this seventh and last playoff place.
Injuries have taken a toll on this team, but the same has happened to Seattle and they delivered a goal-fest, exposing again the Timbers’ defensive backfield as the most vulnerable.
Stopping SKC’s attacking trio of Alan Pulido, Johnny Russell, and Daniel Salloi will be one of the biggest challenges the defensive backfield will have to endure in this match.
Nothing is impossible and maybe a change of formation and with a more attacking philosophy and increasing the possession of the ball may improve things for the Timbers, I will forecast a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Probable Lineups:
GK Steve Clark, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larry’s Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Yimmy Chara, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla; Felipe Mora
Sporting Kansas City
Peter Vermes is a man on a mission with SKC, as he is looking to win it all. Suddenly, we are seeing a renascent Kansas City team making its way to the top of the Western Conference and looking unbeatable.
A team with one of the most dangerous top attacks with its front three leading, I must say the Timbers defensive backfield will have its hands full in covering the likes of Russell, Pulido, or Salloi.
Somehow manager Vermes with no doubt will be looking for the win and keep close tabs with Supporters Shield leader the New England Revolution as he will be looking to add another trophy to Children’s Mercy Park halls.
In the end, SKC will be coming like a heavy favorite, as the Timbers’ showing off a not-so-good road record and recently falling at home against an inspired Sounders side, he for sure will capitalize on their weaknesses.
Probable Lineup:
GK Tim Melia, Graham Zusi, Ilie Sanchez, Andrew Fontas, Luis Martins; Remi Walter, Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda; Johnny Russell, Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi
Meetings
06/19/2021 Portland Timbers 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
09/29/2019 Sporting Kansas City 2-2 Portland Timbers
09/07/2019 Portland Timbers 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
Line
A win on the road for the Portland Timbers will be huge, still, the odds favor SKC at home
Portland Timbers
Sporting Kansas City
