No. 4 Portland Timbers vs No. 5 Minnesota United FC
Sunday, November 21 KO 2:30 PM PST/ 4:30 PM CST/ 5:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Round 1 2021 MLS Postseason
Portland Timbers Briefly
This is it! No turning back as they state that nothing comes easy when you play in the postseason.
And for these Portland Timbers, they face one of their most difficult of foes in Minnesota United coming to town on the 21st . The outlook looks a bit challenging for the Rose City side.
To stop a frontal attack consisting of Robin Lod, Emmanuel Reynoso, Franco Fragapane, and Adrien Hunou; it will be a handful for the Portland defense all game long. Not to say that the momentum the Loons come with after tying to the Galaxy, thus eliminating them from the postseason.
However, something that I remember is that in 2015 when SKC had the Timbers’ number and that playoff game went into penalties and the outcome favored the Rose City side in the end. After all, streaks are meant to be broken and a win over the Loons can spell a rise of momentum for these Portland Timbers in the remainder of the playoffs.
Projected Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla; Felipe Mora
Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe
Minnesota United Briefly
Adrian Heath is one optimistic manager come the postseason. So far, the man has a reason to smile and be on the positive side. After all, his Loons have a positive record against the Timbers with 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.
In addition to eliminating the Timbers in the US Open Cup in its final stages, the Loons have a perfect record of 2-0-1 in Providence Park. As they state, there’s no such thing called perfection and the Timbers’ season playing at home has delivered many memorable matches.
However, for manager Adrien Heath, the concerns arise when his side is to face the likes of Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla, and Yimmi Chara in addition to Jaroslaw Niezgoda or Felipe Mora. These are considered serious threats to the Loons manager’s strategies in his upcoming showdown in Providence Park.
Still, among one of the multiple weapons manager Heath depths is in its bench, as well in its starting eleven, alongside taking advantage of any opportunities that arise for the Loons in these games. In the end, the man likes to put on a 4-2-3-1 formation like his Timbers’ counterpart.
Projected Lineup:
GK Tyler Miller, Romain Metanaire, Michael Boxall, Bakaye Dibassy, Chase Gasper; Will Trapp, Ozzie Alonso; Robin Lod, Emmanuel Reynoso, Franco Fragapane; Adrien Hunou
Meetings
07/24/2021 Minnesota United 1-0 Portland Timbers
06/26/2021 Portland Timbers 0-1 Minnesota United
03/01/2020 Portland Timbers 0-1 Minnesota United
Line
A high scoring game I doubt but can go into PK, no favorites here with a final score of 3-2
Portland Timbers
Minnesota United FC
