ASN: Sounders v. Timbers Stands Out Amongst Cool Clashes

Portland remains to be lacking just a few key gamers, however Sunday night time’s Cascadia Cup conflict between the Timbers and the Sounders highlights an unusually robust weekend slate in Main League Soccer. 

BY

Brooke Tunstall

Posted
April 24, 2015
2:30 PM

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AS THE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER season strikes deeper into its second month, a ample variety of traits and patterns are rising to make increasingly more match-ups intriguing. 

New England is unbeaten in 5 straight and hosts a Actual Salt Lake workforce that’s been crushed simply as soon as…however is at present under the playoff minimize as a result of it has tied half its video games. 
The reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy are wounded and struggling for consistency with its reconfigured lineup however the defending champions are nonetheless a worthy measuring stick for a New York Pink Bulls workforce that’s the league’s lone unbeaten aspect. 
And in a battle of groups on the prime of their respective conferences, D.C. United takes its stingy protection to Vancouver to try to include the Whitecaps and league scoring chief Octavio Rivero.

And whereas all of these video games ought to make for compelling theater this weekend, none of them qualify as our alternative for MLS sport of the week. That honor goes to Sunday night time’s Cascadia Cup matchup that sees Portland and the Timber Military touring up I-5 to face the Seattle Sounders (9:30pm ET, Fox Sports activities 1, assuming the NASCAR race would not go late—not that we’re nonetheless bitter about lacking final week’s sport!)

Each groups are nonetheless struggling to seek out their greatest kind. Generally the Sounders (3-2-1) seem like the toast of the league, which it was for many of final season. And different instances the workforce manages only one objective in a three-game stretch, because it did earlier than rediscovering its offense final week in opposition to Colorado.

Portland (2-2-3), which is trying to return to the playoffs after barely lacking out a 12 months in the past, started this season with three straight ties and has since alternated wins and losses the final 4 weeks.

THE SUBPLOTS

Are you kidding? This rivalry goes again to when there have been franchises with the identical names within the unique NASL and continued by way of years of decrease division soccer till each made the soar to MLS in 2009 (Seattle) and 2011 (Portland).

But it surely’s the followers that make this rivalry particular. Seattle’s attendance isn’t simply in regards to the 40,000-plus who attend each residence sport however in regards to the noise and keenness they create at CenturyLink Subject. Identical to the town they signify, Portland’s attendance is smaller than the Sounders’ however its fan base is simply as passionate and, extra importantly, each bit as loud.

Toss within the proximity and the historical past and the rivalry between the cities themselves, the place Seattle thinks it’s the middle of the Northwestern Universe and Portland thinksit’s the genuine embodiment of the area, and also you’ve obtained all of the components for an awesome sport earlier than the primary cross has been made.

Merely put, when it comes to ambiance there isn’t a greater rivalry in MLS and possibly not even in all of American skilled sports activities. (Possibly Yankees-Pink Sox in a pennant chase. Possibly.) 

On the sector, the Sounders have issues the Timbers nonetheless crave—like trophies and constant playoff appearances. And within the cut-throat Western Convention, either side want factors so this match might be performed at a fever pitch.

The Sounders are slowly coming again to well being whereas Portland is lacking injured midfield stalwarts Diego Valeri, Will Johnson, and Rodney Wallace. Darlington Nagbe is a delight to look at however might be requested to do loads. Once more.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

In Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, the Sounders have the most effective ahead pairing in MLS—when each gamers are wholesome. Dempsey remains to be nursing a sore hamstring however he’s obtained three targets and three assists this 12 months and Martins has scored 4 instances. 

When this attacking duo is on its sport, they’re a handful for the most effective defenses within the league. 

Portland doesn’t have among the finest defenses within the league.

A shaky backline proved to be the Timbers’ undoing final 12 months. The workforce addressed that by including Premier League veteran Liam Ridgewell final summer time after which getting MLS veteran and former Greatest XI middle again Nat Borchers from Salt Lake this winter. 

The pair have helped Portland tighten issues up within the again, permitting only one objective per sport (although Martin and Dempsey present a more durable take a look at than any they’ve confronted up to now). 

Additionally control the Sounders’ backline experiment, the place veteran Brad Evans is studying middle again on the fly. He may have his palms full with Portland’s large Nigerian striker Fanendo Adi.

THE X-FACTOR

For all of the big-name expertise on the Sounders, usually the difference-maker is a participant it as soon as saved eliminating: Lamar Neagle. Lower by the Sounders twice and traded away as soon as earlier than returning in 2013, Neagle has scored 19 targets and registered 13 assists since being reacquired—together with a brace in a win final week over Colorado.

In a position to play both flank spot and as a striker, Neagle is commonly missed when defenses key on Dempsey, Martins, and the likes of Gonzalo Pineda and Marco Pappa. As famous, the Timbers’ protection is way improved however it is going to be so centered on the remainder of the Sounders’ assault that it units the stage for a participant like Neagle to thrive.

PREDICTION

Portland’s protection is improved however is midfield is lacking an excessive amount of proper now and Seattle will take benefit, coming away with a 2-0 win.