(8)Portland Timbers (11, 11, 4, 37 points) vs (2) Real Salt Lake (13, 10, 4, 43 points)
Saturday, August 31, 2019 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
One tough dilemma is what the Portland Timbers and its manager Giovanni Savarese, are currently enduring with two back to back losses at home and a number of vital players missing from his starting eleven.
The need of a win for these troubled Timbers is elementary, in order to be above the red line.
With two of Portland most important center-backs out with injuries, for manager Savarese its time to show off his boldness and wisdom in putting on the field a very motivated team, looking for the win.
For Portland missing two of its important players in their defensive scheme with Larry’s Mabiala and Julio Cascante, I do see Claude Dielna and Bill Tuiloma leading the charge and the need to step up for the occasion.
Still nothing is lost for these fighting Timbers, as a win for sure will uplift their levels of confidence, but for the Claret and Cobalt this time they wont be an easy prey and they for sure are looking for those valuable three golden points on the road.
However, Portland needs to play as a team and not with individualism’s, but to focus and put behind the negative and rally with a strong attacking game and playing as a team, something missing in its last two matches.
In the end, the Portland Timbers are in need of making a case playing as a local team and deliver wins, regardless of the foes these face off, in the end the need to win is imperative.
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Moreira, Bill Tuiloma, Claude Dielna, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Jeremy Ebobisse; Brian Fernandez
Real Salt Lake at a glance
With manager Mike Petke being dismissed after a controversial situation, the club put the trust in Freddy Juarez, as an interim in the club helm, and by far, the man is doing a superb job.
So far, the Claret and Cobalt is playing like its old days and displaying a great game that has placed the team currently in second place in the Western Conference.
However, their current streak against the Rose City team, ever since last season getting sweep by the Timbers, the need to deliver this game with a win is somehow their aim.
Since manager Juarez took over the club has been performing with a good level of football as well delivering their dominance in the Rocky Mountain Cup, recently with a win over Colorado.
In the end if the Royals come with their game on and inspired, these are aware of the Timbers current situation in center back, missing a couple of is starters to injury, there’s a possibility of a win for RSL.
GK Nick Rimando, Brooks Lennon, Justen Glad, Nedum Onohua, Donny Toia; Everton Luis, Kyle Beckerman; Jefferson Savarino, Deimar Kreilach, Albert Rusnak; Sam Johnson
Meetings
May 4, 2019 Real Salt Lake 1-2 Portland Timbers
October 21, 2018 Portland 3-0 Real Salt Lake
October 6, 2018 Real Salt Lake 1-4 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Real Salt Lake with the advantage, but Portland can turn it around, by displaying an ambitious game
