2020 MLS is Back Tournament- Group F, Matchday 11
Portland Timbers vs Houston Dynamo
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Portland Timbers Briefly
A sort of reunion back in the pitch for former MetroStars, then teammates and now turned managers Giovanni Savarese and Houston’s Tab Ramos, as both men will be looking for a win for their respective teams come Saturday.
I must state a not-so-friendly gathering as Gio and his Boys will be looking for the win that will enable his side to advance into the next stage, opposite for Tab after seeing his team not holding a three-goal lead and see how LAFC came back to tie the match, a win is a must for Houston.
The Green and Gold are coming from an amazing win over heavy favorites LA Galaxy last Monday and showing a unique determination that rose them to the win and a valuable one by shutting down the likes of Chicharito.
Unfortunately, they will not have the likes of Croatian center back Dario Zuparic in the lineup after his two yellow cards, the man from the Balkans will miss this match, allowing for Savarese to make his trademark moves.
However, nothing is impossible for Gio as he has several talented lads ready to deliver with the return of Bill Tuiloma to the starting lineup in place of suspended Dario Zuparic. Also for the Green and Gold, keeper Steve Clark being the man of the hour and with another amazing performance, come Saturday the man will be a complete nightmare for Houston strikers, in addition to Chris Duvall making a grand debut in defense.
In offense, nothing new in the lineup with Jeremy Ebobisse upfront in the Timbers traditional 4-2-3-1 formation. But you never know after the course of the Galaxy game, the Timbers eleven switched to a 4-4-2 and hence the results.
The arrival of Yimmy Chara coming as a substitute suddenly turning the tide in favor of his new team alongside Eryk Williamson coming strong in his starting debut and showing a lot of promise in his initiative.
With excellent performances from Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, and Yimmy Chara delivering for Jeremy Ebobisse in the front, something tells that these will become a living nightmare for the Dynamo defense.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Villafaña, Bill Tuiloma, Larry’s Mabiala, Chris Duvall; Eryk Williamson, Diego Chara; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Yimmy Chara; Jeremy Ebobisse
Houston Dynamo Briefly
For Tab Ramos, the start of the regular season back in March was not as expected for the former USMNT great and now he’s looking to revive this side as a total contender and return its old winning glories.
After their match against the LAFC, they almost delivered an upset over the Black and Gold. However, seeing his team surrendered a two-goal lead in the course of the second half, it was not something to be merry for Ramos.
Going into halftime with a 3-1 lead, in the second half the Dynamo only needed to close its game defensively and in the end, it succumbed to the push and ambition of the LAFC attack that delivers, in the end, with a draw.
For Tab Ramos, as I mentioned before, his team needs a much-needed win if his Dynamo want to stay alive in this MLS is Back Tournament and see a continuation into the next stages.
Somehow, this match will be a reunion of some sorts for Giovanni Savarese and Tab Ramos, but also for Zarek Valentin with his former teammates of Rose City when the kickoff starts at 5:00 PM PST.
Probable Lineup:
GK Marco Marik, Adam Lundkvist, Maynor Figueroa, Aljaz Struna, Zarek Valentin; Oscar Boniek, Matias Vera, Memo Rodriguez; Darwin Quintero, Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis
Meetings
June 22, 2019, Portland Timbers 4-0 Houston Dynamo
May 15, 2019, Houston Dynamo 1-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The Portland Timbers come as overall favorites, but Houston won’t be a walk in the park
