The Columbus Crew come to Portland in-the-midst of a three game losing streak and a seven game winless streak. They have been held scoreless over the last three and haven’t found the back of the net multiple times in a match since March. Combine this with a patchwork defense due to national team call ups and you have the perfect opponent for Portland. All that needs to happen now is a multi goal game.
Lineups are changing for both Portland and Columbus this week. For the Timbers, Diego Chara will be out at least two weeks after suffering a broken hand against the LA Galaxy. In his place will likely be backup midfielder Ben Zemanski. Z-Man is a good fit in the d-mid position and performs fairly well every match. Michael Harrington will also sit out this Saturday with a rolled ankle he suffered last week. I expect another Alvas Powell start on the right and am happy about it. The young Jamaican needs all the minutes he can get against MLS teams.
The biggest question I have about the Timbers is whether or not The Great Wall of Gambia is used again. Much as I love Futty, I can’t stand him as a starter and would like to see more out of Norberto Paparatto. Adjusting to a new league can take time and, at least in my mind, he should be able to pair beautifully with Pa Modou Kah. Though, maybe this could wait until Chara and Harrington come back. Three new faces is a bit of a scary thought.
World Cup call ups will take at least two starters out of the Columbus Crew’s lineup this weekend. Michael Parkhurst and Waylon Francis will both be away with the US and Costa Rican national teams respectively. Each departure helps Portland individually. Parkhurst has been solid in the middle and isn’t my choice of defender for Gaston Fernandez or Diego Valeri to take on. Rookie Ben Sweat should take Francis’ spot on the left and open up space for Alvas Powell and Darlington Nagbe.
Key Matchups:
Alvas Powell vs Ben Sweat. Powell is great at getting forward and taking defenders one-on-one. The problem is that once he gets past, he doesn’t know what to do and often gives the ball away. Matching up against a rookie defender should give he and Darlington Nagbe an advantage on the wing. Alvas simply needs to stay calm and pass off to Nagbe when he gets in trouble. If the two Timbers can stay on the same page, a goal or assist coming from one of them might be in the cards.
Ben Zemanski vs Federico Higuain. This matchup will be key to keeping the Crew off the scoreboard. Higuain leads his club with four goals and is tied for the load with two assists. If he’s kept out of action, Columbus’ attack withers. Ben Zemanski is going to have his hands full.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Jack Jewsbury, Futty Danso, Pa Modou Kah, Alvas Powell; Will Johnson, Ben Zemanski; Steve Zakuani, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe; Gaston Fernandez
Columbus Crew: Steve Clark; Ben Sweat, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Tyson Wahl, Josh Williams; Will Trapp, Tony Tchani; Bernardo Anor, Federico Higuain, Dominic Oduro; Jairo Arrieta
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