Timbers face new challenge, old friends in first match against Cincinnati

(11) FC Cincinnati (0, 1, 1, 1 point) vs (10) Portland Timbers (0, 1, 1, 1 point)

 Sunday March 17, 2019 2:00 PM PST/ 5:00 PM EST

 Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Portland Timbers at a glance

For manager Giovanni Savarese every game is one challenge after another. Still the man is one optimist in spite of the results his squad has endured in two games.  With every match being a learning experience and spelling, a number of positives he sees from his squad in this nascent season.

So far, in the past two matches seeing how his squad has allowed a whooping seven goals. Still manager Savarese insists this is a team effort and solely on his defensive backfield. With two matches and ten to go, this weekend the Portland Timbers will have a sort of reunion.

A reunion will be in the works Sunday as former Timbers in Adi, Alvas Powell and Darren Mattocks, will meet up with their former side. Adi and Powell have already seized a starting position so the likelihood is high that they will face with their former teammates.

The aim this upcoming match in Queen City will be to keep a close watch on both Adi and Alva in that they are both familiar with Portland’s strategies, former teammates and its game.  This is something  Savarese will have to think about in his initial eleven of who will be its starters.

Maybe we can finally see Claude Dielna and Jorge Moreira starting, very well with Diego Chara  out due to suspension, and David Guzman who struggled last week. We may see a sort of experiment in the Portland eleven with Cristhian Paredes, Andres Flores or Renzo Zambrano as its starters. For sure, Gio will repeat the 4-2-3-1 formation in another try to get things right.

GK Jeff Attinella, Zarek Valentin, Bill Tuiloma, Claude Dielna, Jorge Moreira; Cristhian Paredes, Andres Flores; Dairon Aspirilla, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco; Jeremy Ebobisse

FC Cincinnati at a glance

Last weekend in Mercedes Benz Stadium, the Orange and Blue got a valuable result and its first point. With a guarantee sold out in their temporary home in Nippert Stadium and playing their first game as a MLS franchise.

After their losing, their first match of the season against the Seattle Sounders. Now the levels of confidence in the FC are starting to take shape. With an upsetting tie over the defending champions Atlanta United away. This tie meant for the team like a win in spite of just sharing the spoils.

With a squad that in just a short time of existence in USL and the impressive headliners in its diehard fans have shown throughout this time. The league commissioner hit on gold by awarding Queen City a franchise in America’s top soccer association.

However, this squad in every match they looked like they are finding their game and self-confidence. After all this squad being a newcomer in the league many see it as one tough first season but don underestimate them in the end.

With the Portland Timbers on town and these hungry for a win, it will not come easy for the visitors in this match. For manager Alan Koch a positive result for sure will uplift this squad momentum as the one these came with after last week’s result.  Manager Alan Koch will put on a 4-2-3-1 formation.

GK Spencer Richey, Alvas Powell, Nick Hagglund, Kendall Waston, Mathieu Deplagne; Leonardo Bertone, Victor Ulloa; Allan Cruz, Kekuta Maneh, Roland Lamah; Fanendo Adi

Meetings

This is the first meeting between the two sides.

Prediction

Portland Timbers have the label of favorites to win this contest but do not count out FC Cincinnati one by playing as local and with their first game of the season at home since joining MLS.