Chivas USA are at the very bottom of the Western Conference and are nearly out of playoff contention, but they isn’t the same team Portland beat 3-0 in May. Erick ‘El Cubo’ Torres has scored in three of his last four games for a total of seven goals in nine games, leading Chivas to two wins in their last four games. This is the epitome of a trap game for the Timbers.
The latest news for Portland is their recent acquisition of forward Maximiliano Urruti from Toronto FC. I expect, and really hope, to see him in the 18 Saturday night. Ryan Johnson just got back from the Jamaican national team and could start, though I think Valencia has earned another one after his performance last week. If RJ is rested then Urruti subs on late, if not Valencia likely would around the 60th. Both Valencia and Urruti could both come on late with Trencito going wide for Nagbe or Wallace as well. Also subbing on will be Valeri. He has been practicing all week and could start, but I don’t think Caleb Porter will want to risk it with his team still in the last playoff spot. Valeri will need to be at full strength to face Colorado and LA in the next two weeks.
Back in defense Portland returns to their usual starting lineup with Ricketts and Powell both back. Powell picked up a knock while playing for Jamaica but should return after practicing most of the week. His speed on the backline has been huge for Portland, Zizzo is pretty speedy as well but mainly in the attacking direction.
New Chivas USA coach Jose Luis Real has turned his club around from a dismal start to the season. Forward Erick Torres and defender Carlos Bocanegra have shored up the team’s shaky defending and attack. None of these three were on the field last time the club faced Portland. Chivas isn’t going to make the playoff this year, they just won’t. That makes them even more dangerous to a low-seeded playoff contender.
El Cubo is going to be the player to stop on Saturday. With his penchant for pouncing on mistakes and poorly cleared balls Portland has to focus on defending set-pieces. Something they haven’t done consistently all season. Just as important will be beating Bocanegra. He has been a rock in the back and Portland can’t afford a draw.
Beating Chivas gives Portland 45 points which could be good enough for third place depending on how LA v DC and COL v DAL turn out. Even if Colorado and LA both win, Portland will be five points ahead of any team in sixth. The Timbers also still have a game in hand over Colorado, the team with whom they are currently tied with and face next week. Caleb Porter and the Portland Timbers can’t afford to get trapped by Chivas.
Projected Lineups:
Portland: Donovan Ricketts; Michael Harrington, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Pa Modou Kah, Alvas Powell; Darlington Nagbe, Will Johnson, Diego Chara; Kalif Alhassan, Jose Adolfo Valencia, Rodney Wallace
Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy; Marco Delgado, Carlos Bocanegra, Bobby Burling, Carlos Borja; Bryan de la Fuente, Edgar Mejia, Oswaldo Minda, Carlos Alvarez; Erick Torres, Julio Morales
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
