(9) Portland Timbers (2,2,4, 10 points) vs (6) Real Salt Lake (3,2,3, 12 points)
Saturday April 23, 2022, KO 7:00 PM PST/ 10:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Recently, Portland defeated RSL in the Western Conference finals and have had the upper hand over the Claret and Cobalt in the past two seasons.
However, RSL is coming off a humiliating defeat from the league champions NYCFC.
The Utah side is coming off a goal rout against the Big Apple side. They for sure will come hungry and looking for some payback and delete the dominance the Rose City side has put on them over the past two seasons.
The Portland Timbers come from a positive away run with a win and a draw and for sure will be looking forward to putting on a show in front of its faithful on their homecoming and with a win.
When this team plays in unison, great things happen and for sure Portland will try to extend their winning streak over RSL and move up the standings above the red line.
As Giovanni Savarese is getting his stellar players back and into the top form he desires, this team for sure will continue to deliver amazing results, and maybe we can see a repeat of last season’s run to the league finals.
Finally for Timbers’ main men Sebastian Blanco, he finally had some minutes in his account, as the Andean continues his recovery from injury and looking forward to leading them into the promised land.
Many positives are seen in the Rose City side and many of its young core are playing with hunger and determination. Two examples are the likes of Zac McGraw and Justin Rasmussen looking ready for primetime.
The offensive game hasn’t taken off as desired, as the likes of Jaroslaw Niezgoda finding his game and looking forward to scoring a good number of goals in the season with Yimmi Chara being its main orchestrator.
Other players that need to get back as an important piece of the attack will be Dairon Aspirilla as well Eryk Williamson who will have to fight back for his starting spot with Cristhian Paredes now an undisputed starter.
A win will be huge for Portland as well a shot of optimism and confidence that could rein for this young team, but Gio really needs to give more minutes to several of its young prospects to gain some experience.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larry’s Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes, Dairon Aspirilla, Santiago Moreno; Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Yimmi Chara
(Photo by Diego G Diaz/Prost Amerika)
Real Salt Lake Briefly
RSL are coming off a humiliating loss against defending champions NYCFC, last week in the Bronx. Still, for manager Pablo Mastroeni, it’s business as usual, and looking to put his team back in the mood to renew his team game and looking forward to the upset at home over the Portland Timbers.
Mastroeni is aware of his side being dominated lately by the Rose City side, he’ll be looking forward to breaking that upper hand the Timbers have had.
This team is looking forward to a return to its old glories, and so far sitting in sixth place, a win on the road would be a huge feat.
The Claret and Cobalt won’t be a walk in the park for the Timbers coming to town and playing in front of their faithful looking at any cost to continue with a run with perfection. RSL will look to spoil the party.
This is a team with lots of talent and renewed hopes of making a return to its lost excellence in this 2022 campaign.
Probable Lineup:
GK Zac McMath, Aaron Herrera, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva, Tate Schmitt; Scott Caldwell, Pablo Ruiz; Sergio Cordova, Damir Kreilach, Justin Meram; Bobby Wood
Meetings
12/04/2021 Portland Timbers 2-0 Real Salt Lake ***
11/03/2021 Real Salt Lake 1-3 Portland Timbers
09/25/2021 Portland Timbers 6-1 Real Salt Lake
***(Western Conference final)
Forecast
Will the Portland Timbers continue to have an upper hand over the Claret and Cobalt
Portland Timbers
