With their first win of 2015 under their belts, the Portland Timbers host MLS expansion side Orlando City SC on Sunday afternoon at Providence Park (2:00 PM, TV on ESPN2, Radio on 750 AM the Game.)
Portland finally put together a complete performance last Saturday night, thrashing then league-leading FC Dallas. Now, the Timbers have a chance to put together a run that would alleviate fears of another fatal March with this match against the talented but misfiring Orlando City — who boast MLS' most dangerous player in Kaka, and former Portland 'keeper Donovan Ricketts.
MORE AFTER THE JUMP!
The History
This is the first meeting between Orlando City and Portland. The last time these two franchises met, Portland was in USL and Orlando City was the Austin Aztex.
Much has changed since then, with Portland being promoted to MLS in 2011 and Orlando joining the league this year. Orlando has drawn comparisons to the Timbers for their launch in MLS. Both saw massive fan support from one of the smaller, less glamorous markets in the league that drew plaudits from around the world, and both cities have the NBA as the only other professional sports team in town.
This match also marks the first and most likely the last time Donovan Ricketts will return to play in Portland as a former Timber. The 2013 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year will be 39 by the time Orlando next visits the Rose City in 2017, so this is it. Ricketts should receive a massive reception from the home crowd.
The Tactics
Orlando City has been one of the most exciting teams to watch in MLS this year — high-flying, up-tempo, very talented, and incredibly inconsistent. The Lions keep the ball on the ground, playing the least number of long-balls per one hundred passes in the league.
But Orlando has had all kinds of problems scoring. They've only had one multi-goal game this year, been shutout twice, and won games on an opposition goalkeeper blunder and a deflected free-kick. Terrible forward play continues to be a major problem, and Orlando is feisty and prone to mental errors — they've lost two games in stoppage time and have the most cards for diving in the league.
The Timbers are mostly settled with their team. Maxi Urruti and Fanendo Adi appears to be the look up top for the time being, which Jack Jewsbury should return to the starting lineup in place of George Fochive after recovering from the concussion he sustained in Kansas City two weeks ago.
New Ghanian acquisition Ishmael Yartey should be available to make his debut off the bench, and don't be surprised to see the Timbers use him if they are trailing or the game is tied after the 60th minute — Portland has been sorely lacking for attacking depth to this point in the season.
Portland will be content to stay compact, drop players behind the ball, and play direct — though Adi will be matched up with Aurelien Collin, who shut him down for Sporting KC last year. That game-plan worked for DC and Vancouver against Orlando already this year, and the Orlando really hasn't proven that they can hurt teams when they have the ball. But all it will take for them is one player to get hot and start scoring — this remains a very dangerous team and game for the Timbers.
The Lineup
12 - Kwarasey
19 - Villafaña
7 - Borchers
24 - Ridgewell (C)
2 - Powell
13 - Jewsbury
21 - Chara
22 - Wallace
6 - Nagbe
37 - Urruti
9 - Adi
The Pick
It should be a very exciting game between two teams with talented players and real intent to win. The Diego Chara - Kaka matchup should great to watch, as should the indiviudal duel between Kaka and Darlington Nagbe. With momentum from last weekend, the Timbers win 2-1.
