(4) Portland Timbers vs (7) Real Salt Lake
Saturday December 4, 2021, KO 3:30 PM PST/ 6:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Western Conference Final
Portland Timbers Briefly
With a season that didn’t start on the positive for the Portland Timbers having up to nine players on the injured list and at times experiencing more lows than highs, a one-of-a-kind mention should be made for manager Giovanni Savarese for keeping this group united, confident, and overall believer.
Despite the odd streaks, this group never stopped fighting, never gave up, and in the end, it has paid off with a final in the Western Conference. The Timbers have had Real Salt Lake’s number three times in the season, the question will be if they can deliver a fourth win?
Coming to this match, the Rose City side will not have their star playmaker Sebastian Blanco out with no return soon. Also, Dairon Aspirilla’s suspension is not likely to be not overturned and he may miss this game as well.
For a team that had its share of troubles, this is a thing of the past and now looking forward to making an impact and moving on to their third league finals and with the possibility of making it another dream season.
Still, as Yimmi Chara stated yesterday in training, one game at a time and without their top playmakers will be difficult, but at the end not impossible to deliver. This is it for these Portland Timbers.
Despite RSL’s achievements, the Timbers have bragging rights in this postseason after taking care of heavy favorites Minnesota and Colorado with some defensive gems of games.
Can they produce a fourth win over Real Salt Lake?
Per Angusta Ad Augusta- “through difficulties to great things”
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Yimmi Chara, Diego Valeri, Santiago Moreno; Felipe Mora
Real Salt Lake Briefly
Looks like SKC has become a regular client for the Claret and Cobalt. A win back on November 7th on the road delivered the win RSL needed and obtained their pass to the promised land of the postseason.
Pablo Mastroeni took over after Freddy Juarez departed for Seattle and has delivered a fairy tale run for his team in these playoffs by eliminating in back-to-back fashion teams heavily considered favorites.
Instead, the RSL has delivered a couple of upsets over the Seattle Sounders and in the semifinals over Sporting Kansas City. This team lately is playing with heart and determination.
Now going into Providence Park, how can they forget that game when the Timbers delivered a 6-1 rout against them back in September? That was then and now the Claret and Cobalt are looking for a rematch against the Rose City side.
Will their streak of upsets continue after losing three games in 2021 will the Timbers win their fourth consecutive over them, or will they put a stop to the Portland domination?
Audentis Fortuna Juvat- “fortune favors the bold”
Probable Lineup:
GK David Ochoa, Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Andrew Brody; Everton Luis, Pablo Ruiz; Jonathan Menendez, Damir Kreilach, Maikel Chang; Rubio Rubin
Meetings
11/03/2021 Real Salt Lake 1-3 Portland Timbers
09/25/2021 Portland Timbers 6-1 Real Salt Lake
08/07/2021 Portland Timbers 3-2 Real Salt Lake
Line
I won’t dare to place any team as the overall favorite, very even both sides come game time
Portland Timbers
