(10) Portland Timbers (2,3,6, 12 points) vs (12) Sporting Kansas City (2,6,3, 9 points)
Saturday May 14, 2022, KO 7:00 PM PST/ 10:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
What a season these Timbers are having! After being eliminated in the USOC by LAFC, this team somehow is missing a lot in its game and it’s becoming worrisome for some of its fanbases. How they can stage a turnaround?
Injuries can take a heavy toll on a squad and for the Timbers with Blanco the team’s top playmaker not being able to complete any game because of his IL status in the season, the team doesn’t have to rely on just one player alone.
The team needs to develop resolve, determination, and teamwork to achieve a much-needed success without any individualism that the team is displaying lately and add some ambition and hunger to win.
If certain players aren’t available, there’s plenty of talent this team can display and put to good use as manager Giovanni Savarese needs to give those young players more minutes to get more confidence in their game as well for themselves.
This run cannot continue for the Portland Timbers as the league every year is becoming very competitive, and owner Merritt Paulson needs really to open up the wallet in order to put an all-around contender.
What about the newcomer striker in the Brazilian player going to be at least in the eighteen or get a chance to display some of that technique he shows off with USL side San Antonio? This team needs something to start scoring.
Where is Bill Tuiloma and why he hasn’t made a start? The man is a center back but he can score. To see the return of some unity in the field and work in harmony may be the prescription of the team needs.
Probable Lineup:
GK David Bingham, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Justin Rasmussen; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Marvin Loria; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Sporting Kansas City Briefly
For manager Peter Vermes so far, the man is clueless why his team is considered a contender and experiencing a slump in the early stages of this 2022 season.
A team known to be a contender since every start of the season, their game level is not the one we are accustomed to as well missing the cellar by just a couple of points.
A team is known to be a stellar and a tough foe for the Portland Timbers, somehow this coming match on Saturday looks very even from my point of view as both sides aren’t displaying their best football.
Injuries are really take a toll on a team’s development in a season as well for its manager to plan a positive campaign seeing several notable players such as Alan Pulido out with injuries. Somehow planning for a positive outcome will be difficult for Vermes.
As a shot of optimism, a win over FC Dallas in the US Open Cup can uplift the levels of confidence for SKC ahead of their regular match here at Providence Park on Saturday.
With six losses in the season manager Vermes will welcome an upset over their archrivals the Timbers on the road to continue lifting his club’s spirits. Their recent win and draw against league champions NYCFC can become the motivator ahead of their match against Portland.
Probable Lineup:
GK Tim Melia, Cameron Duke, Kortne Ford, Robert Voloder, Logan Ndenbe; Roger Espinoza, Oriol Rosell, Remi Walter; Johnny Russell, Khiry Shelton, Daniel Salloi
Meetings
08/18/2021 Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Portland Timbers
06/19/2021 Portland Timbers 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
09/29/2019 Sporting Kansas City 2-2 Portland Timbers
Forecast
The Timbers can take advantage of its home field advantage and SKC slump for the win
Photo: Linda Brothers
Portland Timbers
Sporting Kansas City
