The Timbers have never lost to the San Jose Earthquakes, nor have they ever won in Buck Shaw Stadium. In fact, neither team has ever defeated the other away from home. Portland has taken four points through two games in 2013 and scored on the Earthquakes twice, once at home and once on the road. While a win on Saturday isn’t enough to take first place, three points would tighten Portland’s grip on second and keep San Jose down in eighth.
Rodney Wallace will play his first game since returning from Gold Cup duty with the Costa Rican national team in San Jose. I can’t wait to see him back in action for his attacking threat and speed on the left wing, not to mention for the sake of my fantasy team. Wallace looked good against Norwich and nearly assisted a Kalif Alhassan goal in the ninth minute. The last time he came back from international duty he became the first Timber to ever record three assists in a single MLS match. I expect Wallace to come out running against the Earthquakes and be involved with a first-half goal.
Diego Chara spent much of the week out with turf toe, but returned to practice yesterday. Good thing too, Portland will need his toughness to hold off Steven Lenhart. If he is held out though, I would like to see Alvas Powell makes the 18 in his place. He played hard on Wednesday and showed a level of toughness that is needed anytime a team faces San Jose.
Also in player news is the loss of Futty Danso this week. Futty picked up a minor injury on Wednesday while playing against Norwich FC. His absence won’t change the starting lineup though as both Pa Modou Kah and Andrew Jean-Baptiste played well last week in Philadelphia. No doubt Caleb Porter will add Rauwshan McKenzie to the 18 just in Futty’s place
Finally, I don’t think Ryan Johnson will get the start this week. Piquionne’s hold-up play is the perfect complement to Wallace on the left and Nagbe on the right. Plus Johnson just looked sluggish last week against the Union and didn’t get nearly enough touches.
San Jose will be missing three players this week; Alan Gordon has been suspended by the MLS disciplinary committee while Chris Wondolowski and Clarence Goodson are playing for team USA in the Gold Cup. I expect the Earthquakes to pair Adam Jahn with Lenhart up top in a 4-4-2. He typically gets the start when either Wondo, Gordon, or Lenhart are out for any reason. Lenhart, as always, will require a lot of work and muscle to contain. He and Pa Modou Kah should be the matchup to watch; if San Jose is going to score, it will likely involve Lenhart.
Projected Lineups
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Michael Harrington, Pa Modou Kah, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Jack Jewsbury; Will Johnson, Diego Valeri, Diego Chara; Rodney Wallace, Frederic Piquionne, Darlington Nagbe
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch; Justin Morrow, Jason Hernandez, Victor Bernardez, Steven Beitashour; Walter Martinez, Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin, Shea Salinas; Adam Jahn, Steven Lenhart
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports Images)
