(11) Portland Timbers (3,6,4, 13 points) vs (3) Minnesota United (6,2,3, 21 points)
Saturday May 18, 2024 KO 5:30 PM PST/ 8:30 PM EST
Allianz Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Portland Timbers Briefly
What a delight of a game last night in Providence Park! What a comeback and win over a durable Quakes side almost having the game in their pockets after scoring a couple of goals in the first half and cruising to what could been an easy win and continuing their winning streak!
A comment made by the announcers in that game of Rodriguez not connecting with some of his teammates, this is something the Uruguayan proved everyone wrong after the man connected with the likes of Mora, Evander, Moreno and Antony.
After not starting in the initial eleven Rodriguez somehow got a hold of himself and justified why the team spent a lot of money in him and in the end the man delivered with a brace.
One of my concerns about the team is not being able to display a spark in both halves. In the end, they suddenly the game took a turn for in favor for the Rose City side, after a couple of calls made by the game official.
With a couple second half calls–a red card and later a couple of penalty kicks–the team suddenly rose and became possessed with an amazing display of football that in the end delivered them a win well earned.
However, going to Minnesota is not walk in the park for the Timbers as they continue the need to start making its case for the playoffs and deliver wins for manager Phil Neville.
I can see this team playing for the better and with the display these showed on Wednesday night, the sky can become the limit for this troubled team that’s desperately needs to start adding wins to its favor.
The Loons have not been a walk in the park for the Portland Timbers since the former’s inception in MLS.They have not been dominant, but a tough client for the Rose City side.
My conclusion is that if this team needs to get back on the positive side, they need to start putting their best efforts on the field as well play each halve like they were playing in a final. Can they start doing it in their next games?
Photo Credit Minnesota United F.C.
Minnesota United Briefly
Despite Eric Ramsay’s lack of managerial experience, the man all of a sudden has turn the tide and put the Loons into all around contention in the top three spots of the Western Conference.
With just two losses in the season and three draws, their six wins speaks aloud of this team seriousness to make an impact in league play and maybe play in their first ever final if things continue the way the United is playing lately.
Still, come the days of summer, many things can happen as well this team reinforcing itself before the preseason and getting a hold of a man in manager Ramsay to take this team to many memorable afternoons.
This team has become one of Portland’s toughest foes and the numbers don’t lie with the Loons being atop of the Rose City side with nine wins, four losses, and two draws. These results speak loudly for Minnesota dominance over the Green and Gold.
Meetings
07/01/2023 Minnesota United 4-1 Portland Timbers
05/20/2023 Portland Timbers 0-1 Minnesota United
09/10/2022 Portland Timbers 1-0 Minnesota United
Forecast
Are the Portland Timbers seeing their game taking a twist for the better?
