San Jose Quakes (1, 4, 2, 5 points) vs Portland Timbers (2, 3, 2, 8 points)
7:30 pm PST/ 10:30 EST
Avaya Stadium, San Jose, California
Portland Timbers at a glance
With back to back wins at home and a valuable shutoff against the league hottest teams NYCFC. The Portland Timbers are on the road again to face off one of its toughest foes, the San Jose Earthquakes. At Silicon Valley, the Earthquakes at home have been one tough foe for the Portland squad. After their new home Avaya Stadium opened this has become the Rose City house of horrors, winning just once. In his Tuesday’s press conference Timbers manager, Giovanni Savarese stated the importance of this squad and game of not taking it too lightly.
Still with the bye and the team more rested, alongside the momentum the Portland Timbers come after their win against NYCFC. For Portland taking advantage of the Quakes current odd streak, this can be of a certain edge. For manager Savarese this will be his first test of the rivalry these two squads developed throughout these years. He will have to face many surprises this team has under its sleeve and one of them their lethal weapon in Chris Wondolowski who has proven to be the foil of the Portland defense.
In his press conference this week Savarese stated the New York match is outdated and to start preparing his squad on the eve of another difficult contest on the road. For the Timbers manager his next task is to intensify the confidence of his squad by winning on the road.
After Giovanni Savarese worked with a successful 4-4-1-1 formation, maybe he can send once again his traditional 4-3-2-1 formation that shows off a more defensive stance.
Projected starters GK Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Liam Ridgewell, Zarek Valentin, defensive midfielders Andres Flores, Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes (Andy Polo), offensive midfielders Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, forward Fanendo Adi
San Jose Earthquakes at a glance
For another first year man in Major League Soccer and at the helm of the Quakes, Mikael Stare. So far, MLS is not as easy as it looks in the eyes of the man from Sweden. As Major League Soccer is not a walk in the park and for manager Stare, he is for an all-around challenge all campaign long. Despite the squad getting new faces and player from Europe, still the team is not functioning as expected.
With the Quakes coming from a rough road trip with losses against Orlando and Columbus there is more of an impetus to earn three points on Saturday.
Still for Manager Mikael Stare, he has deposited his trust in his initial eleven he will send this Saturday. By playing at home in Avaya Stadium and in the past, the dominance the Quakes has exercised on the Timbers. It leaves them with the slim hope of netting a positive result at home and stop their negative skid.
Stare likes to use a more offensive 4-4-2 formation to upset the opposing squads defenders. My forecast is that he will repeat it at home to see if it can do some damage.
Projected starters GK Andrew Tarbell, Nick Lima, Francois Affolter, Harold Cummings, Florian Jungwirth, midfielders Magnus Eriksson, Jackson Yueill, Anibal Godoy, Vako, forwards Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen
2017 results
May 6 San Jose 3, Portland Timbers 0
June 2 Portland Timbers 2 San Jose 0
September San Jose 2, Portland 1
Prediction: Portland Timbers favorites by a goal but anything can happen.
