With the Timbers recovering ever so slightly recently from their two month plus slide in the table, they look to add some much needed points as they end a three game trip in Kansas City to play a side that is just ahead of them in the standings. Portland returns ex-KC player Jack Jewsbury to the city where he starred for 7 years. Like last week against Houston, the team is looking to improve their play against an already hot team that has easily eclipsed most experts opinions of the team since opening their beautiful new stadium LiveStrong Park.
KC started the season at the bottom of the standings while playing the first quarter of their season on the road while the aforementioned stadium was being finished. Since the opening games of the season, they have played great while racking up a 14 game unbeaten streak which finally ended last week at home when the visiting Seattle Sounders scored two late goals to steal the 3 points. KC stars two fabulous young players in CJ Sapong and Teal Bunbury and looks to string together another strong push for three points by attacking the Timbers outside backs with crosses to Sapong in the box.
Sporting won their previous meeting against the boys in green in Portland when they scored two, with one coming late. Mexican national Omar Bravo will not be playing because of a red card received in the Seattle game. KC has not played in 11 days and will be playing a Portland side that played a road game 4 days ago in Houston and are also looking at a quick turn-around game on Saturday at home against Cascadia side Vancouver.
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
