The Timbers will need Sebastian Blanco’s speed and skill if they are to earn points against the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Toyota Park (photo credit: Mark Hoffman)
Chicago Fire (0-2-0- 0, 0 points) versus Portland Timbers (0-2-1, 1 point)
3:00 PM PST, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois.
Portland Timbers at a glance
The Portland Timbers after last week’s 1-1 result in Dallas are on the brink of delivering that much-desired first win of this 2018. Manager Giovanni Savarese in his Tuesday press conference had a more positive mood on his compromise ahead and being on the road again. The Rose City lads going to the Windy City and looking forward to netting a positive result. Confidence though is a tricky subject and overconfidence might be an issue for Gio and company if go to Toyota Park with the idea that they are facing an easy foe. There is no such thing than an easy rival and the Fire can turn things around.
Having the home advantage will certainly play in their favor. Portland’s last victory at Toyota Park came in July 2011, a 1-0 victory. Since then the two sides have drawn in ever single encounter, both at Chicago and in Portland. The Timbers have never lost to the Fire in eight matches, holding a 4-0-4 record (16 points).
Their previous track record and their draw last week though should make the Timbers feel comfortable that another positive result on the road is feasible. In last week’s match the local FC Dallas were labeled as favorites. The visiting Timbers defense stepped up and neutralized the momentum the Hopps had. Now if the Timbers manager sends his same formation this Saturday with a little speed in Samuel Armenteros we may have a contest! In addition, Savarese spoke about the possible return of Vytas and Jeff Attinella. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together in Portland’s initial eleven has been a bit of a task for Savarese. But with some of their established pieces returning the club may see a turn-around in their fortunes.
If Gio sticks with his new 4-3-2-1 formation, the Portland Timbers starting lineup will look like this:
Jeff Attinella (Jake Gleeson), Zarek Valentin, Larry Mabbiala’s, (Julio Cascante) Bill Tuiloma, Vytas Andreskevicious, defensive midfielders Andres Flores, Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes, attacking midfielders Sebastian Blanco, Samuel Armenteros (Fanendo Adi)
Chicago Fire at a glance
After back-to-back losses to start their 2018 campaign the Chicago Fire are back in business looking for their first win in 2018. In both matches despite seeing some initiative at the end these succumb to the push of their rivals. In addition, the Fire comes with an advantage with four goals scored in the year versus two from Portland. Here the Windy City lads come with advantage on their firepower. Especially if Nikola Nikolic is in the frontal attack for sure, he will make life a living hell to the visitor’s defense.
According to Prost Amerika Chicago Fire reporter Dan Gaichas, Bastian Schweinsteiger should be available this week after the birth of his child. However, midfielder Matt Polster is out for 5-6 weeks with a right MCL sprain. Rookie Grant Lillard though should be available after being out for the past five weeks due to a knee injury. It should be noted though that he did just return to full training so his match-time might be limited.
Still the problem for manager Paunovic is that his lineup is still in flux, even after the club made several additions in the defensive backfield in the offseason.
Both sides are in serious need of delivering a positive result in order to boost their confidence ahead of what will be a very tight 2018 season.
For manager Veljko Paunovic in this match if he uses a 4-2-3-1 formation his lineup will look something like this:
Richard Sanchez, Matt Polster, Johan Kappelhoff, Christian Dean (Kevin Ellis), Brandon Vincent defensive midfielders Dax McCarty, Tony Tchani, attacking midfielders Aleksandar Katai, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Elliot Collier) Luis Solignac, attacking forward Nikola Nikolic (Jon Bakero).
2017 Result
Portland 2, Chicago 2
Prediction: Portland Timbers by one goal
Chicago Fire
Portland
