(12) Portland Timbers (7,11,9, 30 points) vs (3) LAFC (11,8,7, 40 points)
Saturday September 9, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Despite the improvements put on by interim manager Miles Joseph, this team still lacks the fundamentals of not playing fully in both halves.
Last Wednesday in Seattle, the Timbers had a slow start and allowed two early goals, but in the end rallied and share the spoils against their bitter foes the Sounders. As I said, they deprived the Rave Greens of what could have been an easy win along with three points.
However, under new manager Joseph, the Rose City side is looking much improved, but with a few details to correct. As I said in one of my posts, Rome wasn’t built in a day or the team will become an instant winner overnight.
Improvements are to be implemented and somehow the silent guns are starting to reappear as Mora has been on target in back-to-back games. Aspirilla has retaken his scoring sense as well Evander becoming more disciplined. Moreno is finding the back of the net and Mosquera is getting back his confidence.
I won’t be badmouthing anyone or play the blame game as no one to is to blame here, but the team’s General Manager needs to take the initiative and make some much-needed changes by making some moves.
The need to give the young players more minutes can become imperative and positive for this club’s future with Diego Gutierrez, Tyler Clegg, Antony, Noel Caliskan, David Ayala, and Teka Ikoba; though the latter two on the IL and done for the season.
A much-needed focus on the academy needs to take place in the winter and reorganize it so it can become one that will provide players for the both T2 and Timbers in the long run. Merrit Paulson and Ned Grabavoy need to make this their top priority.
With LAFC in town, the Black and Gold has been a handful for the Portland Timbers since they made its debut in Major League Soccer as well a hard team to beat by the Rose City side.
Still, it is not all negative as the Angelino side is currently in a not so positive streak lately. The Timbers can take advantage of this team skid and get back in the positive.
Photo Credit Los Angeles Football Club
LAFC Briefly
It hasn’t been easy for manager Steve Cherundolo as his Black and Gold hasn’t been the same after Leagues Cup as the defending champions are getting back to league play. With seven matches left, this team needs something positive in its chase towards the top spot in the Western Conference.
This team needs to start getting its winning act together and play more seriously as all of its starting eleven is healthy and in need to start putting some wins in the remaining games of this 2023 campaign.
With a rout over Colorado of four unanswered goals, but back-to-back losses to Charlotte on the road and Miami at home, this is something the team needs to focus and start getting back in the winning column.
As the postseason is nearing and the league is in its final stages, this team needs to reorganize and start looking for ways to close their campaign on a high note as well make a run in the postseason to defend their hard-earned title.
The team has a number of weapons in its offensive game, but a very pitiful defensive backfield not addressed and the focus on building a strong attack in every match and in every campaign they have played.
Meetings
03/04/2023 LAFC 2-3 Portland Timbers
10/02/2022 Portland Timbers 1-2 LAFC
05/10/2022 LAFC 2-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
LAFC has been a tough team for the Portland Timbers but can they take advantage of their skid?
