(12) Portland Timbers (1,4,2, 5 points) vs (1) Seattle Sounders (5,1,1, 16 points)
Saturday April 15, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Rivalry Week is on the weekend with some games that highlight many rivalries and among one of them is the Cascadia Derby between Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders. However, in the state of disarray the Rose City is side is immersed in this 2023, tells me there may not be a lot of fireworks in this match.
Giovanni Savarese can state about his club performance being responsible, but that doesn’t cut it with the followers of this club seeing half of their squad being on IL or injured reserve.
For a team that last week didn’t accomplish any shot at goal and just managed two shots, this raises many red flags as well for a club in seven games just scoring six goals but allowing 12.
Still, I don’t blame the defensive backfield as well its goalkeeper being sensational in their last game and earning a spot in the league’s Team of the Matchday for Matchday 7.
A team raising concerns in many of MLS circles due to its poor productivity and in seven games just managing 55 shots, something is missing here and with no productivity and a lack of someone leading the attack.
This team is lost in the water and until some of its stellar players like Blanco, Paredes and Chara return and get their game and confidence back.
In the meantime, how will Gio improvise or try to get a solution to turn things around offensively for his team lacking seriously and embarrassing to any productivity in its offensive game?
As I tip my hat to the defensive backfield as well for Aljaz Ivacic for their performances lately that in the end could have been costly and disastrous, they have been a solid part of this team not going down but pulling together.
For many is to wait for the return of several aces under Gio’s arm and pray for positive results, it’s early in the season and this team is known to bounce back. Nothing to be alarmed, but in the meantime, positive results are needed!
Probable lineup: GK Aljaz Ivacic, Tyler Miller, Dario Zuparic, Zac McGraw, Claudio Bravo; Sebastian Moreno, Diego Chara, Evander; Dairon Aspirilla, Franck Boli, Diego Gutierrez
Seattle Sounders Briefly
Seattle Sounders are putting on an amazing run and playing like its old self and netting results that placed them in first place in the Western Conference catapulting over St. Louis City SC for top of the conference.
With the way these have been playing lately and with Jordan Morris and Leon Chu becoming the Rave Green’s 1-2 combination, the new approach made by manager Brian Schmetzer is being more patience in their possession.
Is it paying off? I must say that’s working wonders for the Emerald City side with a deliverance of positive results so far in the season and the Sounders are looking once again like top contenders.
For a club that broke Liga MX’s dominance in Concacaf Champions League last season, though couldn’t do anything in the World Cup of clubs, and missing the postseason for the first since since entering MLS; with a healthy squad I do foresee many positive things happening at Lumen Field and for a team looking to add another star and league trophy to its halls.
In their last game against newcomers City SC at home, the dominance they exercised against the expansion side became very visible from the start by pressing and forcing the turnover as well dominating the ball in the entire match.
Portland really needs to get its act together with this new game the Sounders are putting on the field and being successful, but with a broken offensive game I have my doubts the local Timbers can deliver an upset.
Probable lineup: GK Stefan Frei, Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Najun, Nohou; Albert Rusnak, Josh Atencio; Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Leo Chu; Jordan Morris
Meetings
08/26/2022 Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders
07/09/2022 Seattle Sounders 0-3 Portland Timbers
08/29/2022 Seattle Sounders 0-2 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The Portland Timbers offense is on an alarming slump, as the Seattle Sounders are on a streak
Portland Timbers
Seattle Sounders FC
