The New York Red Bulls enter their 18th MLS season like every other, searching for silverware. First stop is Jeld-Wen Field, home of the Portland Timbers in their third MLS season. The Red Bulls come off their third consecutive year of an early exit from the Eastern Conference Semifinals while the Timbers come off a Western Conference finish of 8th place.
Both teams went through major overhauls of their roster and some coaching changes. Portland hired Akron University and former U-23 Olympic coach Caleb Porter to head up the Timbers. Porter seems to have taken Timber Joey’s chainsaw and cut through the fat that slowed the Timbers down last year to shape a team in Porter’s vision. New York did not renew the contract of former boss Hans Backe and, in his place, hired former Metro legend Mike Petke. Outside of the inception of the league, this is the first time on opening weekend that two head coaches made their competitive debuts against each other. Here’s a look at some things to watch out for in this matchup.
How will the Red Bulls line up?
Mike Petke has had his work cut out for him in figuring out his lineup. The only known position right now is at keeper and Luis Robles as Ryan Meara remains on the injured list. Petke has talked about how he dislikes flux in his lineup and has preached consistency as being key to avoiding New York’s plight of avoiding the early goal and defensive lapses. Only Jamison Olave impressed Petke through preseason and it’s a roll of the dice who will start along side him. Dax McCarty told fans the injury worry he had through the end of preseason is over and he’ll be fit to start. It’s a safe bet he gets the start in the midfield along with Juninho and Cahill but it is very unclear on who else starts and how the formation will look. Ruben Bover has received high praise from Petke and seems like he could usurp Lloyd Sam from the right wing while Henry and Espindola will likely start up top. Petke has been toying around with a fluid 4-4-2 during the preseason, which can change into a 4-3-3 in the attack. Henry and Bover would run the flanks with Espindola sitting up closest to goal. When it comes to the Red Bulls starting line up and formation, don’t expect it to be the same early this season as Petke finds the right balance. If the Red Bulls find themselves down by a few goals by half, which I doubt, I wouldn’t be surprised if Petke trots out a few subs and completely changes the look of the team.
Can Portland’s big additions be impactful?
Caleb Porter made sweeping changes when he came in to shape the roster the way he wants to play. However, he has added three key pieces in Will Johnson, Diego Valeri, and Mikael Silvestre. Will Johnson is an MLS veteran and a solid pickup for Portland. Porter has made him the team captain (field captain as Porter says) and I expect Johnson to control the midfield in the style of his former RSL teammate, Kyle Beckerman. Timbers fans hope Valeri is the creative player they have needed in the attacking third. Last year, Kris Boyd was continuously bashed upon for his lack of production but many pointed to the lack of service he received. Either way, the likes of Ryan Johnson, Sal Zizzo, Diego Chara, and Darlington Nagbe are sure to benefit from the run of play and off of set pieces from Valeri. Just like New York, the Timbers have questions and concerns along the backline after Caleb Porter has played sophomore Andrew Jean-Baptiste and rookie Dylan Tucker-Gangnes. Enter former Manchester United defender, Mikael Silvestre. Silvestre had training stints with both the Sounders and Timbers before singing with Portland. Just like Juninho, this will be Silvestre’s first match in MLS and it will be interesting to see if they can adjust to MLS.
Prediction
With both teams having solid attacks and concerns in the back, winning the battle in the midfield will be key to winning the match. Also, with the likes of Juninho and Valleri playing, dead ball situations could yield some of the early magic of this MLS season. I see the Red Bulls edging Portland out 2-1 due to a Juninho set piece.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
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