Soccer
Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers will meet at Lumen Field on Thursday night, as the MLS season resumes with one of the league’s biggest rivalry matches.
Seattle is trying to restart its playoff push after the World Cup break, while Portland arrives with major questions after a poor first half of the season and a recent coaching change.
Verdict: Seattle Sounders to win
Best odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
Soccer Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders enters this Cascadia clash as the clear favorite, even if Brian Schmetzer’s side is not coming into the match at full strength.
The Sounders sit sixth in the Western Conference with 24 points from 13 matches, which gives them a solid platform for the second half of the season. The concern is that Seattle went into the World Cup break with two straight defeats, both without scoring.
That attacking issue is the main worry. Seattle has scored only 17 goals, which is the lowest total among the teams currently sitting in the MLS playoff places. The break may have helped the team reset, but Schmetzer still needs more from his forwards and attacking midfielders.
This match is still a strong opportunity. Seattle is at home, Portland has struggled defensively, and the visitors arrive after losing two straight matches before the break. In a rivalry game, form can narrow quickly, but Seattle has more structure and more reliable match control.
Albert Rusnak should be important again. He leads Seattle in goal contributions and gives the team creativity between the lines. Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock can also provide the directness Seattle needs if Portland sits deep.
Seattle Sounders Team News
Seattle has several important absences. Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Pedro de la Vega, Kim Kee-hee, Nikola Petkovic, Alex Roldan and Cristian Roldan are all listed as out, while Ryan Sailor is questionable.
That is a real problem, especially in defense and midfield. Seattle may still be the stronger team, but those absences reduce the margin for error.
Jordan Morris should be available to lead the attack or play from a wide role. His pace and movement could be crucial if Portland gives Seattle space behind the back line.
Albert Rusnak and Paul Rothrock should also be key in the final third. Seattle needs more attacking sharpness after going scoreless in two straight matches before the break.
Soccer Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers enters this match in a difficult position. The team is 13th in the Western Conference with 14 points from 14 matches, and it is already six points outside the playoff line.
The biggest change is on the touchline. Phil Neville has left the club, with Jack Cassidy taking over on an interim basis. That may give Portland a short-term emotional lift, but it also adds uncertainty before one of the hardest away fixtures on the calendar.
Portland’s defensive record is the major concern. The Timbers have conceded 28 goals, far more than Seattle, and that kind of vulnerability is difficult to carry into Lumen Field.
There is still attacking quality. Kevin Kelsy has been Portland’s most productive forward, while Finn Surman has grown in importance at the back. If Portland can survive the early pressure, it has enough quality to make the game uncomfortable.
The issue is consistency. Portland has lost three of its last five matches and has not shown enough defensive control away from home. Against a Seattle side that should dominate territory, that could be costly.
Portland Timbers Team News
Portland is also missing several players. Omir Fernandez, Gage Guerra, Juan Mosquera and Kristoffer Velde are all listed as out.
Velde’s absence is especially important because he has been one of Portland’s main attacking outlets. Without him, the Timbers lose direct running and final-third production from wide areas.
Kevin Kelsy should carry a major attacking responsibility. He has been one of Portland’s better performers and gives the team a focal point up front.
Finn Surman should be important defensively. Portland will need organization, aerial strength and discipline if it wants to slow Seattle down at Lumen Field.
Soccer Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers key factors to consider
- Seattle Sounders is sixth in the Western Conference with 24 points.
- Portland Timbers is 13th in the Western Conference with 14 points.
- Seattle lost two straight matches before the World Cup break and failed to score in both.
- Portland also lost two straight before the break, including a 3-1 home defeat to San Jose Earthquakes.
- Phil Neville has left Portland, with Jack Cassidy taking over on an interim basis.
- Both teams have injury problems, but Portland’s defensive record is the bigger concern.
- Seattle is playing at home in one of MLS’s fiercest rivalry matches.
Soccer Conclusion
This is not a perfect spot for Seattle. The Sounders are missing several important players, and their attack was cold before the World Cup break. A short home-win price is never ideal in a rivalry match.
Portland still has more problems. The Timbers have struggled for results, they are dealing with a coaching change, and they have conceded too many goals to fully trust them away from home. Missing Velde and Mosquera also removes two important pieces from the lineup.
Seattle should control more of the match and create enough chances to win. The price is short, but the home side has the stronger structure, better table position and more reliable defensive base.
Verdict: Seattle Sounders to win
Best odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
Read MoreJanko Glavonjić