(3) Portland Timbers (2,1,1, 7 points) vs (13) Philadelphia Union (0,0,3, 0 points)
Saturday, March 23, 2024 KO 7:30 pm PST/10:30 pm EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a Glance
Last weekend saw a heartbreaking loss last weekend against the Houston Dynamo and on the road at Shell Energy Stadium, bringing the Rose City side to a harsh reality, as they are looking forward to a successful home-stand.
A loss that exposes the Portland Timbers’ vulnerability and weakness playing on the road, putting manager Neville in a dire situation to improve in this area if his team is to become the contender that he envisioned.
Back to the drawing board, as manager Neville looks for solutions to score when the opportunity arises as well imperative for the team to improve as well take advantage of any chances come their way.
Still, Rome wasn’t built in a day and for the Rose City side the need to become a strong side playing at home and mostly develop their game and upgrade it as a lethal and destructive for the opposition.
Lots of work ahead for Neville, now with a new DP considered a serious threat for rivals and in the upcoming games, Jonathan Rodriguez is to speculating his debut will be this Saturday against the visiting Philadelphia Union.
This is something that in the time of Caleb Porter we didn’t see as the man never got any reinforcements in his time managing Portland. The arrival of Neville certainly is making this team’s ownership to bring new faces to play at Rose City.
So far, the arrival of Cabecita Rodriguez looks a bit providential as well for Crepeau, Pantemis, and Miller, and Muse coming to play at Providence Park and reinforcing the Green and Gold in making it into an all-around competitor.
As I said previously, the team needs to improve as the team defensive game is looking upgraded but with lots of work to be done in order to have many memorable afternoons in this 2024 season.
My conclusion will be of what results will Neville deliver to the Rose City side, looking forward to amazing results as well bring back to Providence Park the postseason, as results will speak aloud for the debutante manager.
Photo Credit Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union at a Glance
Not what manager Jim Curtin had in mind, but still three points are a relief instead of being another loss, as well the team in Concacaf Champions Cup lacking a drive to excel after an embarrassing 6-0 loss to LIGA MX side Pachuca.
So far, the team has a game pending against the Seattle Sounders and for now they are looking forward to maintain the dominance over the Rose City side when these come to Providence Park to play the Timbers.
As the Union have been settling to just draws against the Chicago Fire, Austin FC and Sporting Kansas City; the team desperately looks to add a win into their columns but playing on the road this can translate as a total challenge.
Still, the man will be coming without a few of his starters as several of them getting a call from their respective national teams and this can really become a challenge for Curtin when they play against the Rose City side.
As Blake and Lowe getting a call from Jamaica, Gazdag for Hungary, Baribo for the Israeli national team and Martinez and Bueno for the Venezuelan national team, somehow this will pose a one of kind challenge for the Union manager in the end.
Meetings
05/22/2022 Portland Timbers 0-2 Philadelphia Union
05/30/2021 Philadelphia Union 3-0 Portland Timbers
08/05/2020 Philadelphia Union 1-2 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Despite the Union being somehow dominant over the Rose City, this season can be another story
BEAVERTON, OR – MARCH 21, 2024: Timbers general manager Ned Gravaboy introduces new designated player Jonathan Rodríguez to the media at the Portland Timbers Training Facility in Beaverton, OR.
Portland Timbers
Philadelphia Union
