Tonight’s 7:30PM PT Cascadia Cup match is all about the playoff race. Both clubs are in need of the full three points in their battle for the fifth and final playoff spot. A win for the Timbers would put them above their Canadian rivals by a single point. Even more than points and the playoffs, Caleb Porter’s group needs confidence. A solid win on rival soil would go a long way towards turning the Timbers’ season around.
The Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers both come into tonight’s match on the back of two goal losses. Vancouver’s to the LA Galaxy 2-0 and Portland’s to the Seattle Sounders 4-2. The clubs are also each missing a defensive player due to suspension this week. Portland defender Norberto Paparatto faced the wrath of the MLS disciplinary committee after putting an elbow into Chad Marshall’s head. Johnny Leveron received a red card in LA right at the end of the match. The loss of Leveron isn’t as big a deal as the loss of Matias Laba last week, but with Jay Demerit retired, things will be a little iffy for both back lines.
Portland’s lineup should and will be in flux today. First, what I want out of it. Rodney Wallace and Fanendo Adi need to start. I would love them as subs if the consistency from La Gata and Maxi Urruti was there, but it just isn’t. Adi came on fired up against Seattle and put in two late goals. They didn’t turn things around, but they show that Adi wants to put his mark on this league and show his potential. He’s a big body who can capitalize on a weakened defense. Wallace is his assist man. The Costa Rican can do a lot more, but right now his service from the left is exactly what Adi needs to put up the numbers.
I also agree with the majority of Timbers fans that Danny O’Rourke has got to get off the wing. Jewsbury is better and I’d love seeing Alvas Powell get another shot. This is the right game for Powell, I think. Vancouver is young and fast, so is Alvas. Danny on the other hand just gets beaten for days by anyone with speed.
Mauro Rosales is the latest addition to the Whitecaps’ roster following a trade with Chivas USA. This is great for the ‘Caps, Rosales is a player that I never want to face, but would love to have serving up crosses, taking free kicks, and putting long shots on frame. Hopefully he hasn’t yet fully gelled with his teammates or else the inside-out midfield combinations of Morales and Rosales could be deadly.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Michael Harrington, Liam Ridgewell, Pa Modou Kah, Alvas Powell; Will Johnson, Diego Chara; Rodney Wallace, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe; Fanendo Adi
Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Matt Watson, Andy O’Brien, Steven Beitashour; Matias Laba, Russell Teibert; Pedro Morales, Mauro Rosales; Kekuta Manneh, Darren Mattocks
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports)
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