The Portland Timbers may not have had the desired start to their season following an active preseason campaign, however, a win against league leaders Sporting KC may have given them the boost needed ahead of their visit to the Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Late RSL goal sinks Timbers
Difficult start
Despite starting the season with a 3-1 win at home against the Philadelphia Union, the Portland Timbers sit at the bottom of the Western Conference, with 7 points in as many games.
The team has gone on a five-game winless streak, including a series of four consecutive losses. However, the team did bounce back, beating Sporting KC 1-0 last Saturday, when a Kris Boyd cross was redirected by KC defender Chance Myers into his own goal.
On the road
Like their inaugural season in 2011, the Timbers did not have it easy on the road, with losses against the New England Revolution and the LA Galaxy.
Montreal Impact head coach Jesse Marsch will be keen on having his defense shut down the Timbers and will probably be looking at Portland’s 1-0 l oss in New England on March 24, having been unable to find an equalizer after trailing in the first minute of the game.
GOAL: Boyd opens his MLS account
Up front
Designated player and ex-Scottish international Kris Boyd has taken little time to adjust to the MLS, scoring the winning goal on his full debut in the first game against Philadelphia. He’s scored three goals so far, and has not been shy in front, with 24 goal attempts. Meanwhile, young midfielder Darlington Nagbe has been used as a forward a few times this season and has also scored three goals so far.
Both he and Boyd have actually accounted for 66% of the team’s goals, which could be a worrying sign for Timbers’ head coach John Spencer should one of them get injured.
Traded from Montreal to Portland, forward Mike Fucito was acquired to help the Timbers deepen their squad, following Eddie Johnson’s retirement. The 27 year-old American will not be able to haunt his previous team however, as a trade clause will prevent him from taking part in Saturday’s game.
Rivalry renewed
It has been almost two years since the teams last met, when they were both in the second division, waiting to make the jump to MLS. Midfielder Tony Donatelli had scored the game’s only goal to give the Impact the three points at PGE Park, on May 19, 2010.
Montreal and Portland do share a rich soccer history, which should not go unnoticed. Saturday’s game should then be an interesting and much-awaited encounter between the two clubs.
