(9) Portland Timbers (1,1,2, 5 points) vs (5) Orlando City SC (2,1,1, 7points)
Sunday March 27, 2022, KO 1:00 PM PST/ 3:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
A loss is not easy to forget and last week in the Big D, the Portland Timbers were not able to overcome the goal-fest courtesy of their hosts and surrendering to a 4-1 loss thanks to a Jesus Ferreira hat trick.
When you play just 45 minutes of one half and not the entire ninety minutes of a match, this spells trouble and the Portland side wasn’t too accurate and in their best game in the first half in Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
This is déjà vu from last season when the Timbers dropped some games because of that type of play-based only in one half and leaving it into one and the team rally falling a little short.
However, not all is gloomy for the Rose City side and with some players making a return from the injured list, the panorama doesn’t look too grim when some of these players are ready to return to top form.
The return of Dario Zuparic in last week’s match saw the Croatian make some progress. Larrys Mabiala being on the bench and the possible return of Eryk Williamson to the bench is something positive.
How will Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese adjust his starting lineup as well as spark and rally his troops to play ball in the game’s entirety? No excuses as Tuesday in training camp that was seen as a wake-up call?
Still, Orlando will miss three players due to international callups as the Timbers center back sensation Bill Tuiloma will be absent due to a recent call-up by New Zealand.
Orlando has an edge in their meetings which is something manager Savarese will be looking to even with a win and recapture the team’s confidence. No promises here as this team packs a heavy punch.
Home field advantage should play a big factor for the Timbers and looking to get back in the winning column as well.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Zac McGraw, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, David Ayala; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Orlando City Briefly
A big win on the road for manager Oscar Pareja and his Lions delivered a huge upset on the road against a start star-studded and slumping LA Galaxy. That earned its keeper Pedro Gallese a mention in the MLS Team of the Week bench as well as Man of the Match Facundo Torres.
On the brink of Orlando’s momentum comes the not-so-pleasant news for manager Pareja that three of his notable players have been called by their national teams, such as goalkeeper Pedro Gallese with Peru, Jhgeson Mendez with Ecuador, and Facundo Torres with Uruguay.
This is a team that is building upon the preseason and looking forward to making a statement in the postseason in what is a very contested Eastern Conference and the Lions are ready for big things!
For a man with the long road traveled in MLS, Pareja can make a move or two in his starting lineup, and with a depth in its bench, maybe they can bring havoc to the Portland side and deliver another valuable win on the road.
As the Lions have the edge in the series against the Timbers, we may have a serious contest and if the Rose City side comes out not in its best days and not playing good ball. We may see an upset in the making Sunday night.
Probable Lineup:
GK Pedro Gallese, Ruan Teixera, Antonio Carlos, Robin Jansson, Joao Moutinho; Sebastian Mendez, Cesar Araujo; Junior De Almeyda, Mauricio Pereyra, Facundo Torres; Ercan Kara
Meetings
08/11/2020 Portland Timbers 2-1 Orlando City SC
07/18/2019 Portland Timbers 1-1 Orlando City SC
04/08/2018 Orlando City SC 3-2 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Orlando comes to town with a huge win over the LA Galaxy, looking for another win on the road
Portland Timbers
Orlando City
