Preview: Portland Timbers vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-Salt-Lake-c40339 (Major League Soccer—week 7)
Major League Soccer franchise, Portland Timbers, return to duty after a break in California. The team faces Real Salt Lake at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday, April 30. The team has not lost any game at the venue since the start of their inaugural MLS season.
However, they are yet to taste a victory on their travels.
Even though the Timbers have 2-3-1 (two wins, three draws and a defeat) statistics in the league, they have been struggling in the away fixtures since their induction into the Western Conference. A real test awaits them when the face the former MLS Cup champions
at home.
Jeld-Wen Field has been compared to Rio Tinto Stadium – RSL stadium that recently had a 37-game unbeaten run broken – by some experts, but it is still too early to draw comparisons.
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, come into this game following their CONCACAF Champions League defeat to CF Monterrey. The game against the Mexican outfit showcased the American’s shortcoming in the attacking half. The team now returns to domestic action and Coach
Jason Kreis would be hopeful of a victory to resume the normal service.
Portland Timbers
The team had an impressive preseason and many expected the Timbers to be the surprise package of the conference. However, residing at sixth spot in the table, the Timbers have failed to register a single away victory and have conceded a whopping 13 goals
in the league so far, which is the second highest of any teams.
The forward-line up, though, has been a breath of relief. Kenny Cooper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-Perlaza-c19205 and skipper Jack Jewsbury have all been performing their duties only for the defence to undo their good work.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jeremy-Hall-c18340 and Steve Purdy might have to run an extra mile to defend the goal, while Jake Gleeson will have to be on his toes at all the times against a team that is on a golden streak.
Injury Report
Bright d**e (Achilles rupture), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Horst-c10505 (ankle sprain) are all out injured.
Real Salt Lake
The team might still be in shock after the CCL loss at their home ground. The Real bossed the possession for the better part of the 90-minute stretch, but http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Monterrey-c39943 scored the solitary goal to take the trophy home.
The team houses some of best players in MLS. The likes of Paulo Jr., Arturo Alvarez, Javier Morales and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Álvaro-Saborío-c5302 have the potential to for the best strike force in the league.
Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-Wingert-c9037 will be defending their half against a new-to-the-league team, which should not be a problem for the veteran defenders.
Injury Report
Paulo Jr. (hamstring strain) and Nick Rimando (ankle bone spur) are unavailable with injuries.
Following are the probable line-ups for John Spencer and Jason Kreis:
Portland Timber
Jake Gleeson, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sal-Zizzo-c32192
Real Salt Lake
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andy-Williams-c6058, Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio
Prediction
RSL presents themselves as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/The-Strongest-c40725 candidate for the MLS Cup this year. The predicted score line for the match is 3—0 in favour of the Royals.
Tags: