(5) Portland Timbers (4,3,2, 14 points) vs (8) LAFC (3,4,3, 12 points)
September 13, 2020 8:00 PM PST/ 11:00 PM EST
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Portland Timbers finally got back on the winning column and did it against their arch-rivals the Seattle Sounders on the road. This win boosted the confidence of the squad and they are now looking forward to continuing their winning ways against a decimated LAFC.
However, it was not all was good news for the Rose City as Sebastian Blanco was carried off the field in that game with a season-ending injury. That left a big hole in the offensive attack for the Timbers, as the Andean was at the peak of his game.
Still, for manager Giovanni Savarese, it’s business as usual and as he looks to find a suitable replacement for Blanco in midfield as the team is seeing a glimpse of a possible turnaround and maybe against a struggling LAFC who is missing a good deal of its roster such as Carlos Vela and Eduardo Atuesta and is winless in their last four matches.
With players of the likes of Marin Loria, Andy Polo, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Yimmi Chara, the question arises if Gio can find in any of these four the playmaker he is looking for and who will step up.
Maybe, but the way Jeremy Ebobisse adapting to his new winger role and with Yimmi Chara along with Diego Valeri in central midfield. Some of the elements for a suitable replacement for Blanco may emerge in the Timbers’ offensive game.
Come game time, these Portland Timbers are ready and looking forward to continuing its winning ways and with last week win on the road against their archrivals the Seattle Sounders, for sure gave a boost to this team morale and game.
Probable Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Chris Duvall, Julio Cascante, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson; Jeremy Ebobisse, Diego Valeri, Yimmi Chara; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
LAFC Briefly
So far for the Black and Gold, they and their coach Bob Bradley are looking for answers in the middle of a four-match winless streak and doing so without Carlos Vela and Eduardo Atuesta.
In those four games, LAFC has only managed to score just a single goal in their favor and 12 against what many considered one of the stingiest defensive backfields in MLS last season.
While there is a a possible return of Atuesta in the LAFC midfield, the prospects of seeing a return of this squad return to its winning ways somehow will be a tough sell for the remainder of this season.
Whatever happened to one of the overall favorites last season and considered by some as unstoppable after winning the Supporter’s Shield with a record-setting winning season, their pass into the postseason in 2020 is now in doubt.
Nothing is written and until the game time when these two sides meet we will see how will this fare, as you recall in the MLS is Back Tournament, these two sides ended with a draw with a last-minute goal by Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse.
Then, LAFC was missing their top playmaker Carlos Vela, but with Eduardo Atuesta in the lineup, going ahead. In the end, the Timbers rescued a valuable draw that won them Group F.
Probable Lineup:
GK Pablo Sisniega, Andy Najar, Dejan Jakovic, Mohamed Traore, Jordan Harvey; Jose Cifuentes, Francisco Ginella, Bryce Duke; Brian Rodriguez, Danny Musovsky, Diego Rossi
Meetings
July 23, 2020, LAFC 2-2 Portland Timbers
Jun 1, 2019, Portland Timbers 2-3 LAFC
March 10, 2019, LAFC 4-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
No favorites coming to this match, A very even game
