The Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers will meet Thursday night time at Lumen Discipline because the MLS season resumes in one of many league’s largest rivalries.
Seattle is trying to resume its playoff push after the World Cup hiatus, whereas Portland faces massive questions after a poor first half of the season and a current teaching change.
verdict: Seattle Sounders win
Greatest odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888 sports activities
seattle sounders
The Seattle Sounders enter this recreation towards Cascadia because the clear favorites, even when Brian Schmetzer’s group is not at full power.
The Sounders are in sixth place within the Western Convention with 24 factors after 13 video games, and are constructing a stable basis for the second half of the season. What’s regarding is that Seattle entered the World Cup suspension interval with two consecutive losses (each with out scoring).
The problem of that assault is the principle concern. Seattle has scored simply 17 objectives, the bottom whole of any group presently within the MLS playoffs. The break might have helped the group reset, however Schmetzer nonetheless wants extra power from his forwards and attacking midfielders.
This match remains to be an enormous probability. Seattle is at residence, however Portland is struggling defensively and the visiting group arrives after shedding two straight earlier than the break. In rivalry matches, the form can slim shortly, however Seattle has extra construction and extra dependable match management.
Albert Rusnak must be vital once more. He leads Seattle in objective contributions and provides the group creativity between the traces. If Portland is deep, Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock may additionally present Seattle with the directness it wants.
Seattle Sounders Workforce Information
Seattle has some key absences. Eimar Gomez Andrade, Pedro de la Vega, Ki-hee Kim, Nikola Petkovic, Alex Roldan and Cristian Roldan are all listed as unavailable, whereas Ryan Saylor is questionable.
It is a significant issue, particularly in protection and midfield. Seattle should be a robust group, however the absence reduces the margin for error.
Jordan Morris ought to be capable of lead the offense or play in a variety of roles. His tempo and motion may very well be essential if Portland provides Seattle area behind the ultimate line.
Albert Rusnak and Paul Rothrock must also be key within the remaining third. Seattle wants extra offensive sharpness after going scoreless in two consecutive video games earlier than the suspension.
portland timbers
The Portland Timbers enter this recreation in a tough place. The group is in thirteenth place within the Western Convention with 14 factors after 14 video games, and is already six factors behind the playoff line.
The most important change is on the touchline. Phil Neville leaves the membership and is changed on an interim foundation by Jack Cassidy. Whereas which will present a short-term emotional raise for Portland, it additionally provides to the uncertainty forward of one of many hardest away video games on the calendar.
Portland’s defensive efficiency is the most important trigger for concern. The Timbers have allowed 28 factors, excess of Seattle, and it is powerful to deliver that form of vulnerability to Lumen Discipline.
He nonetheless has offensive high quality. Kevin Kelce is Portland’s best ahead, and Finn Thurman has develop into more and more vital on the again. If Portland can stand up to the early stress, they’ve sufficient high quality to make the sport uncomfortable.
The issue is consistency. Portland has misplaced three of their final 5 video games and has not been capable of show ample defensive management on the highway. That may very well be pricey towards a Seattle group that ought to dominate the territory.
Portland Timbers Workforce Information
Portland can also be lacking a number of gamers. Omir Fernández, Gage Guerra, Juan Mosquera and Christopher Verde are all on the absentee listing.
Verde’s absence is particularly important as he was considered one of Portland’s principal offensive shops. With out him, the Timbers will lose productiveness within the remaining third from direct working and wide selection.
Kevin Kelce ought to take a whole lot of duty offensively. He has been considered one of Portland’s finest performers, giving the group a focus up entrance.
Finn Thurman must be vital on the defensive facet. If Portland needs to decelerate Seattle’s offense at Lumen Discipline, it would want group, aerial power and self-discipline.
Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers Key Components to Contemplate
- The Seattle Sounders are in sixth place within the Western Convention with 24 factors.
- The Portland Timbers are thirteenth within the Western Convention with 14 factors.
- Seattle misplaced two straight video games earlier than the World Cup was suspended, failing to attain in both recreation.
- Portland additionally misplaced two straight earlier than the hiatus, together with a 3-1 loss at residence to the San Jose Earthquakes.
- Phil Neville leaves Portland and is changed on an interim foundation by Jack Cassidy.
- Each groups have damage points, however the greater concern is Portland’s defensive efficiency.
- Seattle is taking part in considered one of MLS’s fiercest rivalries at residence.
conclusion
This isn’t an ideal place for Seattle. The Sounders have been lacking some key gamers and their offense was chilly earlier than the World Cup was suspended. A brief residence win value isn’t very best in a rivalry match.
Portland nonetheless has many issues. The Timbers have struggled to get outcomes, are coping with a training change and have conceded too many objectives to be absolutely trusted from residence. With out Verde and Mosquera, two vital items can even be faraway from the lineup.
Seattle wants to regulate the sport extra and create sufficient probabilities to win. The value is brief, however the residence group has a stronger construction, higher desk place and a extra dependable defensive base.
verdict: Seattle Sounders win
Greatest odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888 sports activities
