Last week, Portland was expected to win hands-down and D.C. expected to lose spectacularly. The outcome for both teams were draws, 2-2 and 1-1 respectively. Where the Timbers were disappointed with a point, the United couldn’t be happier. This week both teams will be itching for more.
The Portland Timbers have one big roster change this week in their backline. Pa Modou Kah will start at CB in his debut MLS game. Kah will replace Futty Danso who is suspended due to a red card picked up against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Darlington Nagbe was subbed out in the first half last week due to injury, but he is not listed on the MLS injury report. The bench will be change slightly with the signing of CB Rauwshan McKenzie earlier this week. He should be overtaking DTG in the 18 after training with Portland for the past two weeks.
Portland and D.C. have met each other three times in the past with United holding a 1-0-2 record against the Timbers. D.C. United was the first team in MLS to defeat Portland at Jeld-Wen back in 2011.
D.C. United is currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only five points. They haven’t won in nine games and have allowed 12 goals at home while only scoring five. D.C. needs to win. Luckily, both Nick DeLeon and Chris Pontius should start on Saturday. This is a big boost to their midfield and will increase the scoring threat posed by captain Dwayne De Rosario.
What Portland Needs to Win:
1. Diego Chara. Diego Chara is the unsung Portland designated player. He may only hold the title due to his transfer fee, but this season he is living up to it. Chara isn’t just anchoring the Timbers midfield defense and control, he is leading the league in recoveries when ignoring keepers (thanks to sidereal’s numbers). His continued dominance will be needed to keep Pontius and DeLeon from adding to D.C.’s attack.
2. A Headed Goal. The Timbers need to score on a header. Specifically, they need to score on a cross during open-play. If Ryan Johnson, or anyone else, can score a headed goal this game Portland should win.
3. Jose Valencia. It’s time for El Trencito to play a role for Portland. Instead of bringing on Piquionne in the 80th minute, I want to see Valencia at 65’ or 70’. He needs a good 20 minutes to bring some impact and get a chance to show what he can do to a defense.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Michael Harrington, Pa Modou Kah, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Jack Jewsbury; Will Johnson, Diego Chara, Diego Valeri; Rodney Wallace, Ryan Johnson, Darlington Nagbe
D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Taylor Kemp, Dejan Jakovic, Ethan White, Chris Korb; Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen, Chris Pontius, Kyle Porter; Dwayne De Rosario, Casey Townsend
(image courtesy of Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA Today Sports)
