by Matt Hoffman
It’s a post-Labor Day, post-USMNT Brazilian Blowout, Wednesday battle of attrition at Providence Park. Portland will be without four key defensive players, whilst opponent Sporting Kansas City is settling back down to Earth following a riveting run of form (7:30 p.m. PT (KPTV; KMCI-38)
Against Colorado, Mikey Lopez made his second consecutive start in what was only his third MLS appearance this season. Lopez would be replaced by Jordi Quintilla who came on against Colorado to make his MLS and Sporting debut.
Such is par for the course for Sporting Kansas City. The team’s expected back-line didn’t even last a third of the season together as injuries have limited their expected starters to just a handful of games: Ike Opara (6), Seth Sinovic (6) and Chance Myers (5).
Despite the setbacks and shifting to a new conference, Sporting for the most part excelled in 2015. Last month Sported surged near the top of the standings before a three game skid–including losses to San Jose and Colorado–mellowed their vibe somewhat substantially.
Sporting is likely out of the Supporter’s Shield conversation, but are a pretty sure bet to make the playoffs although possibly at Portland’s expense.
“ This game can be cruel, but I’ve learned over time, it comes back around. It’ll come back around in our favor here in the next seven games and even out.” -Caleb Porter
The Timbers will be coming at Sporting with a less than full-strength lineup: Diego Chara and Liam Ridgewell will be absent due to suspension; Will Johnson and Alvas Powell will be missing due to international call-ups.
As we’ve seen over the season, the Timbers have competent replacements that can hold their shape and defend well. While it might be enough to go on the road playing for a nil-nil draw, that’s not going to help the Timbers find their way safely above the red-line.
The Sounders game was the first Timbers game to feature a Melano-Adi pairing in the starting eleven. In order to get the three points, you’ve got to score. Look for them to pair again though probably in the sense of Melano playing (on paper at least) as a midfielder.
With so many losses on defense, the team has been forced to play Benny Feilhaber deeper than is normal because the re-manufactured backline isn’t up to the task without Roger Espinoza and Soni Mustivar out in front.
Given liberty to bomb forward, Feilhaber has emerged as an MVP candidate. But constricted as he’s been recently Feilhaber’s form, and Sporting’s as well, has suffered.
With a mishmash of absences and a partially extended break, it’s anyone’s guess what tonight’s game brings . A scoreless draw seems most likely, but the circumstances could present for either side to have a “statement game” and ride a string a victories into the playoffs.
Sporting Kansas City
Portland
