The fallout from the Timbers’ loss to Toronto on Saturday hasn’t been pretty. Acrimony and frustration have hit levels not seen since the Timbers’ now-infamous swoon at the beginning of last season, and are quickly approaching 2012 levels—a season that has been frequently invoked when talking about Portland’s struggles this year.
Thankfully, the team’s first midweek game of the season comes on Wednesday night. Even better, the Timbers return home for the first time since May 2nd, and opponent DC United are bringing a heavily depleted and very beatable squad to Portland.
In desperate need of some a good performance, the Timbers have as good a chance as any to notch a home win—even, again, without Diego Valeri.
The History
DC United’s arrival at Providence Park should bring some good vibes. It was against this same team that the Timbers, after eight games without a win to start last season, finally got their first victory courtesy of a stoppage time rebound goal from Maxi Urruti.
Portland also beat DC United in 2013 in the Timbers’ last trip to RFK Stadium. The goal-scorers on that day, Rodney Wallace and Darlington Nagbe, are the same two players that the Timbers desperately need to get back to their best on Wednesday night.
Going back to 2011, it was DC United who actually handed the Timbers’ their first-ever defeat at what was then Jeld-Wen Field. That game also finished 3-2, and is the Timbers’ only loss to DC United ever.
The Tactics
It is, once again, about the injuries and misfiring forwards. It starts with Diego Valeri, who, after just two starts, sprained his ankle early in the loss at TFC. Valeri is set to miss this game against DC, and the weekend match against Colorado. The real target for Valeri’s return is June 6th at home against New England.
With Valeri out again, Portland is in a familiar attacking sinkhole. Gaston Fernandez isn’t a starting option for the Timbers at this point, so Darlington Nagbe will move back into the #10 position that he had plenty of success in at the beginning of the year. Dairon Asprilla looks set to be the benefactor of Valeri’s injury, sliding in on the wing opposite Rodney Wallace. Look for Maxi Urruti to be inserted into the striker role in place of the misfiring Fanendo Adi.
The biggest news, however, might be the return of Will Johnson as the captain readies to play his first game since last September. Johnson was in the 18 in Toronto, and Caleb Porter confirmed on Tuesday that he’ll play either against DC or at Colorado. I think it’s more likely that Johnson starts this match, and Jack Jewsbury returns to play the Rapids.
DC United coach Ben Olsen has decided to leave quite a bit of his team behind in the nation’s capital to prepare for their home match against Philadelphia on Saturday. Davy Arnaud and Chris Rolfe aren’t on the trip and won’t play, while Fabian Espindola, Nick DeLeon, and Luis Silva are out injured.
DC aren’t a terribly creative team at full-strength, so look for them to sit back and invite the Timbers to break them down. DC can scrap with the best of them, but if Portland’s offense comes dialed in, they’ll win.
The Lineup
12 – Kwarasey
2 – Powell
24 – Ridgewell
7 – Borchers
19 – Villafaña
21 – Chara
4 – W. Johnson (C)
22 – Wallace
6 – Nagbe
11 – Asprilla
37 – Urruti
The Pick
The Timbers are good with their backs against the wall, and half of DC United’s starting lineup is in DC. If ever there is a time for the Timbers to right the ship, it’s now. Portland wins 1-0.
