Previewing Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers with Stumptown Footy
(image via Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers)
The Houston Dynamo return to league play to host the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. We talked to Sam Svilar from Stumptown Footy to get some insight on the Timbers ahead of tonight’s match.
Portland has struggled this season, currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference. What have been some of the reasons for their bad form this year?
The biggest reason: a lack of goals. The Timbers simply aren't generating enough good chances in front of the goal. Their expected goals are bottom in the Western Conference, and their actual goals scored are near the bottom as well. You can mostly blame that on injuries and lack of consistency across the front line. Franck Boli (the expected starter on Saturday), is probably the most reliable striker out of Portland's options, but the rest of the front 3 or 4 haven't been healthy enough to build some actual consistency. Portland's defense isn't bad per se, but it has not been good enough to paper over their lack of goals. And so, Portland is regularly struggling to create consistent threats and are very beatable in the back.
Evander looks to be finding his form in MLS. How important is he to what the Timbers do and did Portland add anyone else this summer that could make a difference?
If the goalscoring is going to improve, it will do so via the boot of Evander. Whether he and his teammates finally get on the same page and they start finishing off the chances he creates for them, or he starts banging them in himself like he did in the Leagues Cup, Portland's newest DP is the straw that will need to stir their drink. When he plays, it's very clear that he's the most talented player on the field. His fancy footwork and ability to see where the ball needs to go is an essential part of Portland's offense, and the more effective his connection is with the forwards and wingers the more effective Portland's offense will be.
Portland had a decent summer transfer window, adding centerback Miguel Araujo, midfielder Bryan Acosta, and U-22 winger Antony (not that one - he's still in Manchester). It's weird to highlight a defensive midfielder, but out of those three Acosta might wind up being the most important signing this season. Portland's midfield depth has been decimated through injury, so having an MLS veteran to back up Diego Chara and Cristhian Paredes could prove crucial in the stretch run.
What can Dynamo fans expect from Portland as far as their style of play? And who are some other key players to look for on Sunday?
On the road and in the heat you can be sure that Portland will be looking to play on the counter-attack. In away matches head coach Giovanni Savarese likes to set up his team in a mid to low block, absorb pressure, and that hit direct with pace after winning the ball back, usually through one of the fullbacks who have pushed farther forward. An extra wrinkle this year has been some selective higher pressing from the Timbers in certain areas, but I doubt that we will see much of it in the Houston heat. The counter-attacking hasn't looked great this year, but if it is going to hit it will be because of neat play from the wingers. Look for the likes of Yimmi Chara, Dairon Asprilla, and Evander to be the keys that Portland uses to try to unlock the Houston defense.
How is the health of the roster and do you expect anyone to be unavailable Sunday? What is your predicted lineup and prediction for the match?
Portland's roster is healthier than it's been, but there's still some key players unavailable. Diego Chara is out due to yellow card suspension, and defender Zac McGraw is dealing with an illness and may not be available. U-22 attacker Santiago Moreno is also unlikely to play, and winger Marvin Loria is out of the country for the birth of his first child.
I expect the Timbers to line up in a 4-2-3-1 looking like this: Aljaz Ivacic; Juan Mosquera, Dario Zuparic, Miguel Araujo, Claudio Bravo; Cristhian Paredes, Bryan Acosta; Yimmi Chara, Evander, Dairon Asprilla; Franck Boli.
The Timbers played some of their best soccer in the Leagues Cup, but I'm not sure we'll see it translate to league play quite yet. But still, they've had two weeks to prepare for this game. So I'll predict a 1-1 draw where nobody is happy and everyone is exhausted.
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We want to thank Sam for his time and wish our friends in Portland the best of luck tonight.
