Major League Soccer Western Conference final
Portland Timbers vs Sporting Kansas City
Second leg Thursday November 29 2018, Children’s Mercy Park Kansas City, Kansas
Kickoff 6:30 PM PST/ 9:30 PM EST
Portland Timbers at a glance
There is no turning back for these Portland Timbers. With leg one in the books ending in a stalemate the hope for the Timbers faithful is the best is about to get better. Now we are to brace for leg two next Thursday at the colossus of Kansas City in what may be one of the most highly contested league finals.
As the best football and tactics put in by these squads managers will be the difference makers. For both sides being aware of no tomorrow is win or bust in the end. For the Portland, side going to a place not too favorable in the past, the odds being tough but not impossible in the end.
For these hardened Portland Timbers, the way these are playing lately in the postseason. These can beat all the odds of underdogs coming to Children’s Mercy Park and deliver an upset. After their display at home last Sunday in Providence Park,
However, we may have a vital absence in Larry’s Mabiala injury on his right ankle. Still this club under manager Giovanni Savarese the man can make things happen counting with a notable bench and players ready to perform.
In this match, the Rose City side is in need of seeing another wondrous performance by Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco and Dairon Aspirilla offensively. In addition to seeing again another one of a kind defensive display led by Diego Chara and Liam Ridgewell that can deliver in the end. As for manager Giovanni Savarese for sure he will send his best tactics and strategies to overcome that specter that has haunted his squad in the past in the Midwest.
The Portland Timbers are up and ready for the KO in round two of this contested finals. If things turned to worst to PK’s with Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla, Liam Ridgewell and David Guzman. In the end if the match ends in a tie, the away goal factor will benefit the Portland Timbers.
GK Jeff Attinella, Zarek Valentin, Bill Tuiloma, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafaña- Diego Chara, David Guzman- Dairon Aspirilla, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco- Jeremy Ebobisse
Sporting Kansas City at a glance
For manager Peter Vermes cruel will be, to see his side losing again in the postseason. After displaying a one of a kind campaign, topping with a first place finish of the Western Conference. However, after seeing his offensive game stopped abruptly last Sunday by an inspired Portland defense.
The need to step up his offensive game will be imperative. Especially if he and his SKC Boys will not like to see, their efforts fade and left out of the grand finale again. With the return of a suspended Diego Rubio that will headline the offensive attack in leg two.
In spite of their dominance in this, campaign over the Portland Timbers in the regular campaign as well having home field advantage in round two. That will not assure them an easy victory in this match that will be a clash of two titans in ninety minutes.
As manager, Vermes being aware of the capabilities and amazing game these are displaying lately. He is aware that he is not to stop the Timbers Talisman in Diego Valeri as well Sebastian Blanco a dynamo in the midfield. The need to step up his defensive fence over these and the whole Portland initial eleven will be necessary if he and his side are to move onto the league finals. Still anything can happen in this postseason from these two squads.
In this upcoming match for both squads, the one that will prevail will be the one with spirit, determination and all around ambition. Something that both squads will exhibit in their next outing at the venue located on Sporting Way and dubbed as the Blue Hell.
Coming to Children’s Mercy Park, the Portland Timbers are aware of the foe and the difficulty in the past these endured. Still nothing written and until the end of this event, we should know of only one victor. In the end if we get to the infamous PK’s for SKC Ilie Sanchez, Graham Zusi, Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Felipe Gutierrez.
GK Tim Melia, Graham Zusi, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic- Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Felipe Gutierrez- Johnny Russell, Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi
Last Match
November 25, 2018 Portland Timbers 0, Sporting Kansas City 0
