(8) Portland Timbers (12, 11, 4, 40 points) vs (9) Sporting Kansas City (10, 11, 7, 37 points)
Saturday September 7, 2019, 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
Once again Giovanni Savarese is on a mission to solve another puzzle in his lineup and make the necessary improvisations to put a fighting starting eleven on the field ahead of what seems to be another challenging match.
Yes, with SKC in town, the Portland Timbers Boss is aware of this team current winning streak, looking at any cost to seize a win today against his Portland Timbers.
Still the man missing a whooping number of nine players six to injuries and three on International duties, the outlook for Gio looks tough but not difficult as the man can make things happen in the field.
Being aware of this team formation and defensive game too much for his attack, this time SKC will have to front a new challenge in Brian Fernandez looking forward to get back in his scoring ways.
Last week win, became notable in this team confidence and with the need to get back above the red line, somehow is a must for the Rose City side in what seems to be another tough close of a contested season.
Without his stellar eleven, Gio for sure will put on the field a top of the line lineup and this will come up big as last weekend these did it against a heavily favorite Real Salt Lake.
For this match, Manager Savarese will put his 4-2-3-1 formation, but anything can happen as a he can put in last minute a more offensive 4-4-2 to derail the Midwest Boys defensive backfield.
GK Steven Clark, Jorge Moreira, Bill Tuiloma, Claude Dielna, Jorge Villafaña; Marvin Loria, Diego Chara; Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Jeremy Ebobisse; Brian Fernandez
Sporting Kansas City at a glance
For manager Dick Vermes and his SKC, this has been an odd season after a rocky start, as the season is heading into its last stages, the Midwest Boys are finally starting a turnaround.
As in the past the Boys from Kansas have been a handful for the Portland Timbers offensive game.
Whenever these two squads play, we are brace for a rivalry, as that elimination via PK’s in 2015 is still fresh in manager Vermes and his remaining players from that time, as every game he would like to get the best of the Rose City side.
However, SKC is coming with a three game winning streak against foes of the likes of San Jose, Minnesota and Houston and three points in Providence Park will be vital in these stages of the competition.
For this match I dont doubt manager Vermes will put on his trademark 4-1-4-1 formation, looking to derail the likes of Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Jeremy Ebobisse and especially Brian Fernandez.
GK Tim Melia, Graham Zusi, Graham Smith, Matt Besler, Luis Martins; Felipe Gutierrez; Johnny Russell, Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza, Daniel Salloi; Erik Hurtado
Meetings
November 29, 2018 SKC 2-3 Portland Timbers
November 25, 2018 Portland Timbers 0-0 SKC
August 18, 2018 SKC 3-0 Portland Timbers
June 9, 2018 Portland Timbers 0-0 SKC
Forecast
SKC comes with a winning momentum but Portland can play the role of spoiler
