(2) Portland Timbers (9,4, 4, 31 points) vs (1) Seattle Sounders (9,4,4, 31 points)
Thursday, October 22, 2020 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Century Link Park, Seattle, Washington
Portland Timbers Briefly
Last Sunday’s match will be one to remember for Giovanni Savarese and company after almost having the game in their pockets, dominating on both defense and offense. In the end came to an intrepid lad by the name of Christian Torres who played the role of spoiler to deny the Timbers a would be a win.
Still, nothing is lost and with both sides coming with the same results, the need for a win for the Portland Timbers over the Seattle Sounders will be huge. The top of the Western Conference is on the line, with both teams tied in points and the Rave Greens coming with a slight edge.
However, last Sunday’s result became a hard one for manager Savarese to digest after his side dominated most of this contest and in the end in stoppage time seeing his team surrendering two points with a late score.
For a team ready to return to the winning column and see his efforts shine once again, I do not doubt that manager Savarese will send the same starting eleven to counter and stop a Sounders revival at home.
In their last match with a defensive gem and a lone goal, the Timbers got the win as well a clean sheet at home over the Emerald City side.
For sure, Giovanni Savarese will have an ace under his sleeve as well looking to close this series over his archrivals with a win despite the levels of difficulty these matches have for him and his side. As he is a noticeably confident man and with a possible change of strategy, maybe we can see a positive result in the end.
This time, the Timbers are in need of stepping up their defensive game in every minute of this match if they are to come victorious in what it seems to be their house of horrors back in Century Link Park.
A win for the Timbers and a tie or draw against the Whitecaps later in November, for sure will decide this 2020 Cascadia Champion.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Chris Duvall, Larry’s Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Jeremy Ebobisse, Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara; Felipe Mora
Seattle Sounders Briefly
Brian Schmetzer has seen a couple of not too favorable results with his Rave Greens, recently, but the man is looking forward to a triumphant run in these finals stages of the 2020 season.
Aware of the foe, his Rave Greens are to face off after losing back-to-back games against their archrivals from south of the I-5, the need to get in the winning column will be imperative if his team are to remain top of the Western Conference.
As the Sounders drew with San Jose and then losing to the LAFC the match before, the win is imperative for Brian Schmetzer and company, to generate momentum before the start of the playoffs.
With another edition of the Cascadia Derby played in the colossus of downtown Seattle, can the Emerald City side shake off their losing skid these been handed lately from their Rose City nemesis?
There is one way to find out come Thursday night as once again we will be witness to another epic showdown between these two Cascadia Rivals in the always celebrated and followed of MLS Derbies.
Probable Lineup:
GK Stefan Frei, Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gomez, Shane O’ Neill, Nohou Tolo; Jordy Delem, Joao Paulo; Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris; Raul Ruidiaz
Meetings
September 23, 2020, Portland Timbers 1-0 Seattle Sounders
September 6, 2020, Seattle Sounders 1-2 Portland Timbers
Forecast
A definite shoutout in the West, that in the end will determine the Wester Conference top team.
Portland Timbers
Seattle Sounders FC
