MLS : Portland Timbers- San Jose Earthquakes

 

We previewed the reverse fixture at the weekend ......I feel it will be very tough for Timbers to win this, with injury and suspension ripping the heart out of the visitors, robbing them of two of the most influential midfielders in the MLS.

San Jose have a limited amount to play for, but are courting a new coach in Dominic Kinnear ( good choice, see above) and will want to impress and despite a ten match unbeaten run, they are better than that and have served us pretty well this season , especially with the 5-1 demolition of Chicago Fire, which was a "double " win and defeat of Seattle Sounders in the brand spanking new Levi's Stadium and they also drew 3-3 in Portland recently, where they led 2-0 and 3-2.

Timbers are without both Diego Valeri and Will Johnson. Over the last two seasons Valeri has missed just three matches, none this season, through which he has scored 20 goals and had 27 (!) assists and 163 attempts on goal, Johnson has only missed seven , he plays deeper, but has 17 goals and is the driving force in the team, Valeri the standout player. They have (very) occasionally had to deal without one, but now both are out together and it must feel like they are going into battle with a couple of limbs missing.
 

Earthquakes led there through a Chris Wondolowski goal, before Timbers found two late goals, it was a gritty hard earned win, which didn't look like coming, but missing their two most important players, it said plenty about the spirit in the squad and a follow up win tonight, would give the edge in that race for 5th place over Whitecaps, who do not play until Friday, when they visit Seattle, so three hugely valuable points up for grabs for the hosts. They will be without right back Alvas Powell who is away on international duty, he has just forced his way into a regular starting place, but his absence is more than compensated for by the missing on the other side of the pitch and return of Diego Valeri ( see above).
 

San Jose have lost central defender Victor Bernardez, midfielders Atiba Harris and Cordell Cato and striker Wondolowski to international duty, right back Pablo Pintos was sent off as time expired on Sunday and is suspended. All five played in that game, four as starters, the loss of Bernandez is huge with Clarence Goodson injured long term, Wondo is far and away their biggest offensive threat with 14 goals this season (three against Timbers) and 87 in the last five campaigns . 
 

The two teams met here in Portland a month ago, that ended 3-3, Wondo and Cato scored all three between them, Valeri assisted for all three Timbers goals, with the hosts having a club record 32 attempts on goal, they also had 40 crosses into the box and with the visitors without a starting central defender tonight , that kind of relentless pressure is likely to be rewarded , especially with so much on the line.
 

1.5 units Portland Timbers -1 ball 2.12 asian line/Sportmarket.