(8) Portland Timbers (7,10,3, 24 points) vs (1) Seattle Sounders (12,3,6, 42 points)
Sunday, August 29, 2021 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Portland Timbers Briefly
Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson expressed this season so far being as being a total disappointment after his expectations were so high for his team for 2021.
With many lows and few highs entering the second half, the Timbers are showing off a not-so-positive outlook and with a match on Sunday against their nemesis the Sounders. Many will be asking themselves if this match spells more trouble for the Rose City side if they experience another loss.
The way this road stand started with a near win over SKC after let the hosts tie it up in the final minutes of the game and seeing how Austin FC had an edge over them. The question arises if manager Giovanni Savarese can level the team and motivate his team is playing a serious game of football.
Still, with games against troubled Houston and Vancouver in BC Place coming up, can the Timbers rescue some points in these matches even the one on Lumen Field this upcoming Sunday?
Its manager can see in making another set of moves to uplift his team’s attacking momentum as well as see if his defensive backfield can stand up and deliver.
So far, this team needs many incentives to see if they can make a comeback and display the game they are known for as well as seeing their starters make a comeback into the starting eleven. This team is in need of a lot of positives for the remainder of the season.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Pablo Bonilla, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Eryk Williamson, Diego Chara; Yimmi Chara, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco; Felipe Mora
Seattle Sounders Briefly
These Sounders are one red hot ball lately despite the hectic schedule. But in the end, they are looking like all-around favorites to win it all in 2021. As in the minds of their manager and players, they recall the time they delivered a monstrous 6-2 rout over the Timbers on August 15th at Providence Park.
Now it’s time for the Rave Greens to play host against their I-5 nemesis. This tim,e the Timbers will be playing as visitors and the overall odds favor the Sounders immensely.
Despite several injuries throughout the season, the team has seen some of its substitute players stepping up and doing the job. The question will arise when some of the injured players return to form and coach Brian Schmetzer will have to juggle his lineup.
For this match, the Sounders have been one busy team playing nonstop, and still, many experts have given them the label of favorites.
My conclusion the Seattle Sounders are enjoying a great season and keeping a close tab on the Supporters Shield race with its current leaders, the New England Revolution.
Probable Lineup:
GK Stefan Cleveland, Yeimar, Xavier Arreaga, Shane O’ Neill; Alex Roldan, Kelyn Rowe, João Paulo, Brad Smith; Cristian Roldan, Fredy Montero; Raul Ruidiaz
Meetings
08/15/2021 Portland Timbers 2-6 Seattle Sounders
05/09/2021 Portland Timbers 1-2 Seattle Sounders
10/22/2020 Seattle Sounders 1-1 Portland Timbers
Line
The Portland Timbers playing against a red-hot Sounders at home nothing favors them in the end
Portland Timbers
Seattle Sounders FC
