Whitecaps vs Timbers Matchup Insight
The Vancouver Whitecaps are coming off a hugely disappointing mid-week 1-0 loss to Toronto FC in the Canadian Championships, and will be eager to put that poor display behind them as they take on their next Cascadia Cup fixture within their regular season MLS schedule.
The Timbers have an excellent atmosphere in their compact home and will be keen themselves to extract a win out of this contest as they sit 6 points behind the Whitecaps.
Portland Timbers
Portland has been rather mediocre this season sporting a record of 3 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws. The defence is decent, but the offence has sputtered with just 11 goals in 11 matches.
Scottish forward Kris Boyd, who played for Old Firm power Rangers in Scotland, is the main threat up front alongside MLS SuperDraft selection Darlington Nagbe.
The two forwards sit tied with 3 goals apiece.
‘Futty’ Danso on the back line and excellent ‘keeper Troy Perkins are the defensive standouts for the Timbers.
Vancouver
The Whitecaps have something to prove following their putrid display in Toronto. The team returns from the long trip east and thankfully have just a short sojourn down the left coast to Portland.
This game will be their 8thcontest in four weeks, and almost all of their main starters played against the Reds so expect a visibly tired Vancouver outfit to show itself in this encounter.
Davide Chiumiento will draw back into the Whitecaps side for this rivalry game vs. Portland
Davide Chiumiento will likely make a return to the starting lineup, as will Omar Salgado.
Predictions
What really intrigues in this game will be coach Martin Rennie’s team selection following criticism of his choices in the TFC match.
The Scot looked quite dejected at the loss to Toronto and unfortunately focussed on criticism of the referee, rather than the indiscipline and antics of this players.
Vancouver needs to pull together a much tighter display for this match, but the combination of exhaustion from an overcrowded schedule, a great deal of travel this week, and a regional clash with a rival looking for a spark could prove too much to overcome.
Expect a 2-1 loss to a solid Portland team which will draw from rabid home support.
Video
Whitecaps FC train at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon ahead of their match with the Timbers.
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