After an important, if not entirely satisfying, 1-0 win at home over Chicago a week ago Friday, the Timbers look to double down on a Western Conference playoff spot with a trip to Utah to play Real Salt Lake. With wins in their next two, the Timbers would all but assure themselves of making a return to the postseason.
This is a good opportunity, too. Real Salt Lake, an old nemesis of Portland, has their worst team in some seven years. It’s a tired team too, one that played on Wednesday night with their first-choice squad in the US Open Cup and has been contending with CONCACAF Champions League commitments as well. A solid performance and three more points are not at all unreasonable expectations for the Timbers.
The History
Portland and Salt Lake last crossed paths in MLS play on March 7, the opening day of the season. That match finished in a 0-0 draw, but since, RSL has proven to be much less stingy than they were that night. These two teams also played in the US Open Cup in early July, when Salt Lake knocked the Timbers out of the competition for the second time in the last three years with a 2-0 win.
This match will mark the MLS return to Rio Tinto Stadium of Timbers defender Nat Borchers, who was a fan-favorite in Salt Lake during his run in Utah—when he won MLS Cup in the same team as current Timbers captain Will Johnson.
Portland hasn’t traditionally had much success away to RSL, with a single win in MLS play coming last year in a match that Fanendo Adi scored a brace in. But it’s not just a road problem—Portland hasn’t beaten Salt Lake at home either since 2011. Now, though, they might have their best chance. Jeff Cassar’s team suffered an emotionally wrought defeat in the Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday at Sporting Kansas City, after being drilled last weekend 4-0 at Vancouver.
The Tactics
The Timbers are still bringing DP forward Lucas Melano along slowly, and it’s doubtful that he’ll get his first start on Saturday night. It’s more likely that his first start will be next Friday night, when the Timbers return home to play Houston.
But the Timbers might be forced into a separate change up top ahead of the upcoming game, with Fanendo Adi doubtful after picking up a knock against the Fire. Adi takes a beating each week and could use a rest anyway, which means that Maxi Urruti will have a chance to make a final major impression as his minutes continue to dwindle with Melano now ahead of him in the depth chart.
Behind the front man, Porter seems to have plenty of faith in Rodney Wallace—plus motivation to keep a consistent lineup at this stage of the season. Dairon Asprilla’s minutes have lessened considerably as well in that reckoning. The Timbers still haven’t lost a match in with both Johnson and Diego Chara have started.
RSL will most likely field a strong team, though a fatigued one. This is a must-win game for them, but they’ve got some major injuries. Jamison Olave and Chris Schuler remain out, while Joao Plata picked up an injury just this week.
The Lineup
12 – Kwarasey
2 – Powell
24 – Ridgewell
7 – Borchers
19 – Villafaña
4 – W. Johnson (C)
21 – Chara
22 – Wallace
8 – Valeri
6 – Nagbe
37 – Urruti
The Pick
These teams draw more often than not, and with Portland missing Adi—and not playing very well anyway—they might not have enough win on the road. 1-1 draw.
