With their position in the Western Conference playoff picture under serious and immediate threat, the Portland Timbers face their biggest game since MLS Cup 2015 on Sunday afternoon, when they face the arch rival Seattle Sounders at Providence Park (2:00 PM, TV on ESPN).
Last weekend in Seattle, the Sounders — undefeated in five since firing manager Sigi Schmid — flew past the Timbers on the strength of three second half goals. Seattle now trails Portland by just a single point in the Western Conference table, with this — the rubber match between the two sides — likely to set the tone for the rest of the season.
The History
The Timbers didn't play particularly badly last Sunday at CenturyLink Field, but the defeat they went down to felt ominous for several reasons — the mysterious absence of Fanendo Adi from the starting lineup, several high profile defensive blunders, and the feeling that Seattle is suddenly verging on unstoppable.
Not that Portland should despair. Seattle has lost their last two games at Providence Park by a combined score of 7-2, with a 3-1 drubbing in July helping push Schmid out the door. Still, the pressure — only amplified by the MLS scheduling decision to have these teams meet in consecutive weeks — is on. Seattle would move ahead of Portland in the playoff race with a win.
The only real precedent for back-to-back meetings like this was when the two teams met in the 2013 playoffs. The Timbers won that series, taking the first leg 2-1 in Seattle and going ahead 3-0 in the second leg in Portland before holding on to win 3-2 and 5-3 on aggregate.
Jon Champion will be back in Portland to call the game for ESPN. On his only other visit to Providence Park, three weeks ago, the Timbers got one of the best wins of the season over Sporting Kansas City. Plenty of eyes, as always, will be trained on the tifo display from the Timbers Army — especially after last weekend's pitiful effort from the Emerald City Supporters.
The Tactics
The only surprise in the Timbers' lineup last Sunday was Jack McInerney starting up top in place of Adi, due, allegedly, to Adi's having missed the team flight to Seattle. Porter said midweek that all parties are moving forward, and Adi should be in the starting lineup this weekend. Lord knows the Timbers missed him.
Steven Taylor wasn't particularly good in his debut last week, but the Timbers don't have any other good options at center back and Taylor's pedigree will buy him time to settle. Ditto for Vytas, who has been good going forward, but a defensive liability so far at left back.
Portland did get some good news on the injury front this week. Zarek Valentin and Ben Zemanski will be back available for selection, and Darren Mattocks looks likely to join them. None of the trio, however, are probable starters. Behind Adi, barring a formation change, we should see the same team that lost last weekend.
Chad Marshall, Joevin Jones, Christian Roldan, Andreas Ivanschitz, Clint Dempsey, and Jordan Morris were all rested by the Sounders for their Wednesday night game in Houston. One star who wasn't rested — DP playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro — scored a 94th minute goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against the Dynamo and keep Seattle's unbeaten streak alive.
The tactical battle on Sunday will be fascinating to watch. The Timbers played two very different halves at CenturyLink last weekend, sitting in the first half, playing more proactively — and eventually getting punished — in the second.
Portland has to get Diego Valeri more involved than he was last weekend, and Adi's holdup play should help with that. Seattle, meanwhile, found most of their joy attacking Vytas last weekend. Defensive help from the left sided winger — most likely Nagbe — will be key. The Sounders also have a mismatch with Jordan Morris' speed against Ridgewell and Taylor. There should be plenty of goals in the game.
The Lineup
90 - Gleeson
2 - Powell
24 - Ridgewell (C)
27 - S. Taylor
5 - Vytas
21 - Chara
13 - Jewsbury
6 - Nagbe
8 - Valeri
26 - Melano
9 - Adi
The Pick
The Timbers know exactly how important this game is. They'll come out hot, and, with Adi back in the team, have the weapons to do damage offensively. That said, this Sounders team is for real — and the Timbers' defense isn't. 2-2 draw.