2020 MLS is Back Tournament- Round of 16
Portland Timbers vs FC Cincinnati
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 – 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Portland Timbers Briefly
“What Group of Death?”, as manager Giovanni Savarese and his Portland Timbers ask themselves after staging and incredible tournament so far and delivering against all odds, to clinch a pass into the Round of 16.
As the Rose City side advances in this Tournament, Savarese has seen a surge in two of its young lads in Jeremy Ebobisse as well Eryk Williamson in the starting lineup.
Teamwork makes the dream work and as the Green and Gold are playing lately, they are ready for whoever comes their way and that starts with the Cinderella of the tournament in FC Cincinnati.
So far, for the Portland Timbers seeing flair, movement, and imagination in its attack. This team is building up a perspective of how far they can reach in this tournament as well next year when the season resumes in 2021.
As the competition put in by Gio in training camp is somehow becoming contagious to several in this group, the need to step their game is imperative if these will be considered to continue in the team or be looking for new employers.
This team is showing a strong unity in the field and not breaking down when the going gets tough, as the Rose City side looks for open spaces and never gives up, as they are to face off a team known lately for a bunkered defense.
However, for Gio, his philosophy will be not to concede early and be very careful as they are to face this resurgent FC Cincinnati side becoming the talk of this tournament after its rally to earn them a spot in the next round.
With Jebo seeing a continuance of his amazing game as well the team shines defensively and not gives any open opportunities, maybe Portland will have a chance to deliver a knockout blow to FC Cincinnati on the end and make their move into the next round.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Chris Duvall, Larry’s Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Pablo Bonilla; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara; Jeremy Ebobisse
Photo Credit and Property of FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati Briefly
The Jaap Stam era is making an impact in the Queen City. Staam is turning this squad in its second year by molding it into a contender, this after back-to-back wins over their group foes and aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.
With an embarrassing loss against a renewed Columbus Crew with a 4-0 rout, somehow the Orange and Blue rallied to the point of eliminating the likes of NY Red Bulls and Atlanta United to seal their pass into the Round of 16.
As many are lauding the way this team suddenly has seen a major improvement in its defensive game with an elite defensive backfield featuring Kendall Waston, Mathieu Deplagne, Joseph Claude-Gyau, Tom Pettersson, and Andrew Gutman.
Manager Stam has seen incredible results in back-to-back wins and scoring a clean sheet over Red Bulls and Atlanta considered as serious contenders, as his formations of 5-3-2 with five defenders somehow is working wonders.
However, before Tuesday’s match, Savarese is back to the drawing board and looking forward to breaking FC Cincy’s defensive fence so far these have imposed over their rivals and that delivered them a lot of praise.
Interesting is the word, as the Orange and Blue are becoming the Cinderella story of this event how will they continue in and what strategies will the former Red Devil great will send onto the field.
Something tells me that this is the match will be decided either by a single goal or we can be immersed in the edge of an infamous round of penalties.
Probable Lineup:
GK Przemyslaw Tyton, Joseph Claude- Gyau, Mathieu Deplagne, Kendall Waston, Tom Pettersson, Andrew Gutman; Caleb Stanko, Haris Medunjanin, Frankie Amaya; Yuya Kubo, Adrien Regattin
Meetings
Sunday, March 17, 2019, FC Cincinnati 3-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
A tight game with the winning team will decide it by a lone goal or in the round of penalties
Portland Timbers
