(4) Portland Timbers (2,2,1, 7 points) vs (3) Vancouver Whitecaps (2,1,1, 7 points)
Saturday March 30, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Portland Timbers Briefly
Disappointing is the ideal word chosen by manager Phil Neville after his team displayed a great match and delivering a number of opportunities at goal, but still the team came short of his objective to come with huge win against the Union.
The Timbers didn’t play a pristine defensive game and not being able to stand their ground, in the end it was seen a setback in the end and with a long road stand, the odds somehow look a bit challenging.
The Timbers are a team that’s not a good performer on the road and with this many away games, the odds of this team are very interesting in how the team will perform and possibly can deliver with notable wins.
Still, playing against a team not being recognized for its achievements in this 2024, the Whitecaps come too from a heartbreaking loss against Real Salt Lake and will be looking to come back big and deliver in front of their faithful with a huge win.
With the defensive backfield returning, maybe we can see the likes of Miller and Crepeau, but this can become a decision on game time by the Timbers manager.
Defense wins games and last night the Timbers defensive backfield crumble and allowed the Union to set the game pace and defeat them with a 3-1 win. Allowing a brace from its Argentine playmaker Julian Carranza.
That was then and now as manager Neville needs to focus in his team upcoming games, by experiencing his first Cascadia Derby, the man needs to have his starting eleven focus from the game beginning all the way to its end.
A game considered a handful or we can state it as challenging and most of all being on the road, the Timbers need to step their game and deliver with a huge win if they are to contend in the Cascadia Cup.
My conclusion is that the Portland Timbers cannot be wasteful when they come close at goal and take advantage of their opportunities’ and display an immaculate defensive game. Adding an eleven that is connected from its start until the end of the match.
That’s how you win games with determination, ambition and most of all passion!
Photo Credit Vancouver Whitecaps F.C.
Vancouver Whitecaps Briefly
The start of this 2024 season for the Vancouver Whitecaps something manager Vanni Sartini didn’t expect his team, to have such a strong start and with the right to dream of a run for the league shield.
Despite some of its key players moving on to other leagues, still this group has a lot of fight and determined to maybe deliver a possible run not only the postseason but to the league finals.
The Whitecaps last season won the always disputed Cascadia Cup overtaking the Portland Timbers, in the end this club is looking forward for more impactful trophies.
This is something manager Sartini is looking forward to deliver a one-of-a-kind satisfaction to the Cap’s followers and its fan-base looking forward to some much-needed silverware including the Supporters Shield.
Question is how determined and serious are the Caps to deliver an everlasting effect to BC Place?
Meetings
08/06/2023 Portland Timbers 2-3 Vancouver Whitecaps
05/13/2023 Portland Timbers 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
04/08/2023 Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The Portland Timbers desperately need a win to maintain they set for this season
