(6) Portland Timbers (10-6-7, 37 points) vs (7) Seattle Sounders (10-9-5, 35 points)
Sunday August 26, 2018 6:30 PM PST/ 9:30 EST Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
So far in 2018 the Portland Timbers have an edge over their Cascadian archrivals the Seattle Sounders. After posting two back-to-back wins in the campaign, the question arises if the third time will be the charm for Seattle.The Sounders are currently in a positive streak of six consecutive wins and are looking like a squad that one would not want to mess with. Even with the home field advantage for Portland that may not prove to be much of a difference.
The Timbers enter this match having lost each of their last three matches. The need to stop the negative streak will be one of Giovanni Savarese desires to boost his squad’s confidence. Whenever the Seattle Sounders come to this field they always pose a certain level of difficulty for the Timbers.
However, the Portland initial eleven should step up its game and deliver in the end. Savarese has stated in the past that every match is a learning experience. That negative one these had in the road should be sufficient to correct their errors and display a top of the line game. As Gio said, that’s soccer, in the end, this sport can be cruel and that positivism can turn in a snap of a finger for the worst.
This is something that the Portland squad is looking for to capitalize against the Sounders. Streaks can happen and players can have a bad day in the field but they are only humans. There seems to be a certain level of belief within the supporters that they can turn this one around.
So will Gio try and surprise his I-5 foes with a new formation? In this match Savarese should avoid being conservative and go with a bold approach. Changing things up might just be what this side needs to claim the Cascadia Cup.
Predicted starting eleven:
GK Jeff Attinella, Larrys Mabiala, Lawrence Olum, Julio Cascante-Alvas Powell, Diego Chara, David Guzman, Andy Polo, Zarek Valentin- Diego Valeri, Samuel Armenteros
Seattle Sounders at a glance
Manager Brian Schmetzer has seen a revival in his Rave Greens, who have now won six matches in a row. Suddenly things are looking bright in Emerald City after a slow start and now in these parts of the campaign staging a comeback where it counts. The outlook of this upcoming match come Sunday August 26, where these battling Sounders will be looking forward to prevent a sweep of their series against the Portland Timbers.
Now we are seeing a more renovated and reinforced Seattle Squad armed with more weapons that for sure can destabilize the Portland defense and exercise a tighter defense in its game.
With important wins these Rave Greens have moved from the conference cellar to within two points of Timbers who are sitting in sixth place. A win for Schemtzer and company will leapfrog their Cascadia foes out of playoffs contention, who just a few weeks ago were sitting pretty above the red line.
That is the irony that these once embattled Sounders are looking for and stop the Rose City squad dominance in this campaign. At least these would like to get the win at any cost. So far, the arrival of new players to Emerald City has given a positive improvement in this squad game for the better.
Ask that to a start studded LA Galaxy this past weekend getting a scandalous 5 -0 rout at Century Link by an inspired and determined Rave Greens squad. As manager Brian Schmetzer for sure he will post his trademark 4-2-3-1 formation in Part III of the Cascadia Derby.
Predicted Starting XI
GK Stefan Frei, Kelvin Leerdam, Kim Kee-hee, Chad Marshall, Nouhou Tolo- Gustav Svensson, Osvaldo Alonso- Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Harry Shipp- Raul Ruidiaz
Meetings
June 30, 2018 Seattle Sounders 2-Portland Timbers 3
May 13, 2018 Portland Timbers 1-Seattle Sounders 0
Cascadia Cup Standings
Seattle Sounders (1, 1, 0, 3 points)
Portland Timbers (1, 1, 0, 3 points)
Vancouver Whitecaps (1, 1, 0, 3 points)
Forecast
A win for Portland will provide the necessary lift in their motivation.
MLS Western
Portland
