Portland Timbers (7-3-5, 26 points) vs San Jose Earthquakes (3-9-3, 12 points)
Saturday July 7, 2018 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
June 15, 2018 – Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
Portland Timbers at a glance
Ten is the number of games that this Rose City squad has experienced perfection. But can they make it eleven. While they will be facing the San Jose Earthquakes, a side at the bottom of the Western Conference table, on Saturday it is still no easy task. As I always state that there is no such thing than an easy foe. However, for manager Giovanni Savarese is back to reality and prepares his troops for another challenging contest at home. Despite several absences in his initial eleven, the man is one bold improviser and results speak for themselves so far in the campaign.
With the possibilities of seeing a return of Sebastian Blanco in the lineup, his presence will boost this squad game. In addition of seeing a repeat of another defensive gem these inflicted on the Silicon Valley Boys back in May. We will have a one sided contest, but do not count your chickens before they hatch. As the Quakes are currently in a positive streak with three matches ending in a draw and these can repeat the dose at home over the streaking Timbers.
For Gio if he sends his traditional 4-3-2-1 formation it will be no surprise. One thing this man has always a surprise under his sleeve and maybe he can show one at game time. So far with the momentum that the Timbers have after last week’s win against Seattle, it will make them very a difficult side for the Quakes to stop.
Portland’s possible lineup for Saturday.
GK Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin, Andres Flores, Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Samuel Armenteros
Stanford, CA: The Earthquakes hold the LA Galaxy to a 3-3 tie in the #CaliClasico at Stanford Stadium; Jun 30, 2018.
San Jose Earthquakes at a glance
It looks like Quakes first year manager Mikael Stahre is finally catching on to the MLS style. While his side have pulled off three consecutive draws, they are still in search of three points during this positive run. Stahre will hope that last week’s come-from-behind draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy will help spell San Jose’s 2018 revival. This is not an easy group for the Portland Timbers and these lads are very aware of it.
With a negative record on the road (1-5-3) the Quakes are sure looking to add win number two and looking forward to an upset in Providence Park. in addition of one of its most lethal weapons in Danny Hoesen, Chris Wondolowski and Valeri Qazaishlivi. For sure, these will keep the Portland defense on check and alert all evening long. Not an easy foe the Quakes will be for the local Rose City squad that anytime these can get ahold of their best football and turn this match in their favor.
Despite the struggles, this team has had all campaign long. They are aware with the current lineup these can turn things around and make a run above the red line that can give them another shoot of the postseason.
With manager Stahre aware of the two defeats by these hardened Timbers squads, for sure he will send his usual 4-4-2 formation with an offensive twist to see if they can break the Portlanders defensive fence.
GK Andrew Tarbell, Nick Lima, Jimmy Ockford, Yeferson Quintana, Kevin Partida, Magnus Erickson, Fatai Alashe, Florian Jungwirth, Vako, Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen
2018 Meeting
May 5, 2018 San Jose 0, Portland Timbers 1
2018 Meeting
September 30, 2017 San Jose 2, Portland 1
June 2, 2017 Portland 2, San Jose 0
May 6, 2017 San Jose 3, Portland 0
Prediction: Portland Timbers by two goals
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes
