T (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
(2) Portland Timbers (10, 3, 7, 37 points) vs (7) Vancouver Whitecaps (8, 9, 6, 30 points)
Saturday August 11, 2018 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
The Timbers are red hot, resilient, and unwilling to surrender to any pressure. Portland are coming off of an amazing week where they dispatched the Philadelphia Union with a splendid second half. This squad is unpredictable as well and are fighting are hard in this campaign. While they have extended their unbeaten run to fifteen games, this streak at any time can come to its end. As for manager Giovanni Savarese ahead of this match he is aware of the foe his club is to face off.
As the Vancouver Whitecaps in the past has been a hard foe to digest for the Timbers. The memories are still fresh of that last match of the 2016 campaign at BC Place. The Caps delivered a blow to the Rose City squad leaving them out of the postseason. To add that day the Caps double blow was the Timbers losing the Cascadia Cup in that match.
That was then and now the Caps are to face off with a different foe. As Portland are another squad and a fighting one. That never backs down or surrenders despite being down, in the scoreboard. Now they are to face a determined squad that builds up momentum in the second halves and we can say is unstoppable in its game.
This time the Timbers will have its full roster with Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri leading the attack. However, for Giovanni Savarese will he repeat his formation against a team struggling for wins. I do not doubt he will send a defensive minded 3-5-2.
GK Jeff Attinella, Larrys Mabiala, Lawrence Olum, Julio Cascante- Alvas Powell, Diego Chara, Sebastian Blanco, David Guzman, Zarek Valentin- Diego Valeri, Samuel Armenteros
Vancouver Whitecaps at a glance
For manager Carl Robinson these campaign inconsistencies in his squad so far have been his total nightmare. As he and his Whitecaps lately posting a not so favorable record and in their last six matches just winning a couple with a draw. Coming to their house of horrors Providence Park, for the Welshman is business as usual and looking for a much-needed win.
In addition, coming a bit worked out in midweek after their Canadian Cup final compromise. Still I do not underestimate the Vancouver game that can turn things a bit ugly for their opposition. Nevertheless, this squad submerged in a not so positive streak at times seen as a bit of hard luck.
This is for a team that can have one of the most feared midfield combinations with Felipe, Brek Shea, Efrain Juarez and Alphonso Davis to mention a few. Davis’ quality and amazing game has caught the attention of German giant Bayern Munich. He will be heading out at the end of the season which will be to the delight of the rest of Cascadia. For now though his lightning quick speed and concise passes will be of a concern to the Timbers.
Whoever is in the initial eleven doesn’t matter as this squad can play a serious game of football. To turn their troubled campaign around they are going to need to find a spark. That first step will be against the Portland Timbers and nothing would boost their confidence more than an upset at home against their arch rivals.
In spite of this squad’s form as of late the depth of their starting lineup as well as their bench makes them dangerous. In addition of pointing this squad as lethal and serious whenever applies its game with success in the field. Look for manager Carl Robinson to send his trademark 4-4-2 formation to counter Portland’s defensive game.
GK Stefan Marinovic, Sean Franklin, Aly Ghazal, Aaron Maund, Brett Levis- Bernie Ibini- Isei, Felipe, Russell Teibert, Brek Shea- Nicolas Mezquida, Erik Hurtado
2017 Meetings
July 23, 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps 1, Portland Timbers 2
October 22, 2017 Portland Timbers 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 1
Forecast
Portland Timbers by one goal.
Cascadia Standings
(1) Portland (1, 0, 0, 3 points)
(2) Seattle (1, 1, 0, 3 points)
(3) Vancouver (0, 1, 0, 0 points)
Vancouver Whitecaps
Portland
