2020 MLS is Back Tournament Group F Matchday 16
Portland Timbers vs LAFC
ESPN Wide World of Sports Centre
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Portland Timbers Briefly
Whoever said that the Portland Timbers being the total underdogs are now in the next stage of this MLS is Back Tournament and in a Group that many dubbed it as the Death Group.
Still, nothing is written until is written by these hardened Timbers playing a magnificent game of football and delivering notable wins over sides of the likes of LA Galaxy and later with a renewed Houston Dynamo.
So far, we have seen several Green and Gold veterans delivering in the clutch and seeing the resurgence of an elite player coming from the Timbers organization in Jeremy Ebobisse becoming a leader in their frontal attack.
However, a number of surprises we have seen in this tournament were some of the heavily favorite teams are struggling to get their pass into the next round, such is the case of LAFC sans Carlos Vela who decided not to participate in this event.
As the moves performed by manager Giovanni Savarese are paying off and undoubtedly these can be a big factor come this Thursday when the Portland Timbers play their last game from their group and looking to finish perfectly.
For sure, Gio will give the opportunity to some of his players some rest, but I do not discount of not seeing his scoring machine in Jebo being the ideal man in his offensive attack and despite their wins not being so great.
In the end, a win is a win and look how the Rose City side has silenced many of its doubters going against all odds and delivering an amazing run in this tournament that maybe we can see this side in this outcome finals.
By far, this side veteran core has become inspirational to the newbies and with another set of moves especially in its defensive backfield, in addition to seeing a more offensive prone game with a 4-4-2 formation, there will be the final touch.
GK Steve Clark, Chris Duvall, Bill Tuiloma, Larry’s Mabiala, Pablo Bonilla; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara; Jeremy Ebobisse
LAFC Briefly
This tournament sans Carlos Vela, manager Bob Bradley side was caught a little off guard when his side played the Houston Dynamo just needing minutes to wrap up an upset win and Bob Bradley’s side rallied for the draw.
In their second match against their cross-town foes the Galaxy, this stage a sort of El Trafico Derby back in Orlando, somewhat the Black and Gold managed to deliver a humiliating defeat to the American version of Los Galacticos by a score of 6-2.
Somehow for Bradley and company, they are not missing Carlos Vela as Diego Rossi has delivered in the clutch, and once again we are about to stage another huge match come Thursday.
In their next game, the Black and Gold is in need of a win, just in case the Dynamo defeats the Galaxy, as this match will be seen as an anticipated final. Whenever these two sides meet, we see a lot of sparks fly.
As you recall, the LAFC has a certain dominance over the Rose City side with three consecutive wins in the regular season, but with the way the Timbers are playing one amazing game of football along with the Black and Gold surge, we may have a match.
GK Pablo Sisniega, Tristan Balckmon, Dejan Jacovic, Eddie Segura, Diego Palacios; Latif Blessing, Eduardo Atuesta, Mark Anthony Kaye; Brian Rodriguez, Bradley Wright Phillips, Diego Rossi
Meetings
June 1, 2019 Portland Timbers 2-3 LAFC
March 10, 2019 LAFC 4-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Lots of Fireworks in what looks to be a very disputed match, no favorites
