Since joining MLS in 2011 Portland has never lost to the Chicago Fire. The two teams meet for their fourth ever match this Saturday at Toyota Park. Portland carries an 11 game undefeated streak going into this match and is still undefeated on the road. Despite their form, the Timbers will have their hands full trying to contain Mike Magee who has scored two goals in two games since signing with Chicago.
Portland and Chicago are at different ends of the league table. The Timbers are sitting in third in the West with 22 points while the Fire are in eighth in the East with just 11 points. These standings don’t accurately reflect how dangerous Chicago is right now.
Starting Mike Magee alongside Chris Rolfe brought the Fire their first win in over a month. Magee has been in top form all year having scored seven goals in eleven games. Chicago also has a dominant midfield this season that is mainly comprised of Joel Lindpere, Jeff Larentowicz, Alex, and Dilly Duka. Portland’s defense is going to be tested all game, namely Will Johnson and Diego Chara. Chara needs to stick on Magee and keep him from finding space for a shot. Luckily for Portland, Lindpere will be out due to international duty. With CAM Alex playing, Larentowicz be forced into a more defensive role.
The Timbers head to Toyota Park missing four starters to international duty; Rodney Wallace, Futty Danso, Ryan Johnson, and Donovan Ricketts have all been called up. In their place, I expect Kalif Alhassan, Pa Modou Kah, Frederic Piquionne, and Milos Kocic to start. Kalif and Kocic are almost sure bets, but the other two require more thought..
With Futty gone, Pa Modou Kah will step into the left center-back position. Kah has looked solid, both in USOC and his first MLS game the week before last. He doesn’t have the most graceful touch or footwork, but his workrate, speed, and positioning look like they can at least hold the line.
Frederic Piquionne will start up top in Chicago. With Ryan Johnson playing for Jamaica Portland needs a target man to hold up the ball. Piquionne also scored 4 goals in 45 minutes in his last game giving Caleb Porter no other choice. If Will Johnson can provide the same level of service Piquionne could net his first MLS goal of the year.
Predictions:
1. Jose Adolfo Valencia gets his first start of the year. Seriously, I think Caleb Porter takes a chance with so many players out and changes up the entire style. Alhassan gets snubbed for El Trencito and Porter changes into a 4-4-2. Alhassan is a far safer choice, and I am probably wrong, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Trencito cracks the 11.
2. Mike Magee gets denied by Kocic. This might just be the homer in me, but I think Kocic is ready to play. He needs to prove that he can be replace Ricketts should he need to.
3. Mike Magee scores. He is going to keep up his streak. I don’t think Kocic can keep clean sheets even though he is going to get save of the week.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Milos Kocic; Michael Harrington, Pa Modou Kah, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Jack Jewsbury; Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, Will Johnson, Diego Valeri; Frederic Piquionne, Jose Adolfo Valencia
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare, Austin Berry, Jalil Anibaba; Dilly Duka, Jeff Larentowicz, Alex, Patrick Nyarko; Mike Magee, Chris Rolfe
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