(4) Portland Timbers (14-13-4, 46 points) vs (10) San Jose Earthquakes (9-12-10, 37 points)
Wednesday, 27 October 2021 KO 7:00 PM PST/10:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Welcome back Jebo! A sort of homecoming for Jeremy Ebobisse after his trade to the San Jose Earthquakes.
Still, Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese is in need to make some adjustments to his team and strategies as a win is necessary for this team’s confidence. A win will not only solidify their fourth-place position, but overall assure them a home opener in the playoffs.
It doesn’t look easy for Gio after seeing his team drop three consecutive matches and the defensive game being the overall culprit. The need for this team is to step up its defensive game and consolidate their place towards the postseason.
Another area that needs improvement is the offensive attack. As you recall against Colorado, the Timbers attack was nonexistent despite having positive numbers in its possession and opportunities.
My conclusion is for some of the players to step their game and stop the over-dependence on Sebastian Blanco. As for Diego Valeri, he needs to get his self-confidence back and lead the team like in the old days by stepping up his game and honoring his moniker of El Maestro.
The Timbers have it in them to see a continuance of their mastery over the San Jose side at home with a record of 10 wins, 4 draws, and no losses. Can they continue the streak is the question.
The return status of Claudio Bravo and Sebastian Blanco, is uncertain, someone needs to deliver!
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Pablo Bonilla; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla; Felipe Mora
San Jose Earthquakes Briefly
Matias Almeida’s side is desperately looking for a miracle for his team to get a spot in the playoffs with just four games left in the season. So far, his team is seeded in 10th place with 37 points, and the need to accumulate wins is a necessity.
Still, there’s always something on the way and for the Quakes, it’s the Portland Timbers whom they had their share of unsuccessful meetups with the Rose City side getting the best out of the Silicon Valley team.
The need to win is urgent for Almeyda and his Quakes and see if there’s a little help on the way from some teams above them such as LAFC and RSL. The Quakes need them to maintain form as well continue to hold their lead in overall points.
That’s not stopping these Quakes from looking at any cost to win their remaining three matches and wait for some reverses on the above-mentioned teams as well Vancouver who they recently drew. It’s now or never for these Quakes to see a revival of their game at the end of this contested season.
Can the Quakes deliver an upset over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park?
Probable Lineup:
GK JT Marcinkowski, Tommy Thompson, Jackson Yueill, Tanner Beason, Paul Marie; Eric Remedi, Andres Rios; Cristian Espinoza, Eduardo Lopez, Benjamin Kikanovic; Jeremy Ebobisse
Meetings
08/04/2021 Portland Timbers 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
05/15/2021 San Jose Earthquakes 0-2 Portland Timbers
10/11/2020 Portland Timbers 3-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Line
San Jose comes with a lot at stake and looking to seize a spot for the playoffs
