Red Bulls Take on Timbers in Portland

The Red Bulls are on the road this weekend, traveling across the country to take on a struggling Portland Timbers side. The Timbers have lost their last three games, two of which have been at home. These results suggest that the Timber’s initial home fortress may be weakening. On the other side of things, the Red Bulls welcome back De Rosario to the squad after he returned from a disappointing Gold Cup with Canada.

With the addition, I expect the usual central midfield pairing of Tainio and De Rosario to form again. This will likely push Lindpere out wide to his usual left midfield role, and mean that Austin Da Luz, who has done a good job filling in for the Red Bulls, will be pushed back to the bench as a substitute. After a weak performance last weekend against the Revs, despite the result, it will be interesting to see if the Red Bulls can raise their level against Portland. The Timbers will certainly a provide a stronger test than the Revs, especially playing at home, and will punish the Red Bulls if they continue to make mistakes. 

For me, De Rosario and Tainio will be key in the match. Unlike the Red Bulls more possession oriented style of play, the Timbers like to play at a higher tempo and play more over the top and direct to goal. The Timbers, especially at home, also do a good job of pressuring the ball after they lose it to immediately win possession back. Tainio and De Rosario will need to get on the ball a lot for the Red Bulls to help control the tempo and flow of the game. If the Red Bulls are unable to slow the game down at times and stamp their influence on the game with good possession, it could be a difficult night. Furthermore, if the Red Bulls get caught in a high energy, back and forth type of game, the Timbers will certainly have an advantage with the home crowd behind them and it would be tough for the Red Bulls to get even a point from the game.

Overall I expect to the Red Bulls to face a tough match in Portland. The Timbers are determined to get back to winning ways and will feel playing at home tonight is a great opportunity to make it happen against a still undermanned Red Bulls side. It will be a tough environment the Red Bulls are stepping into and hopefully they can raise their level and have a solid outing. Its hard to see the Red Bulls picking up three points away from home tonight, but a point on the road would not be a bad result. We will see tonight as kickoff is set for 10 p.m. on the East Coast.

(image courtesy of Getty Images)