Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 7
Providence Park – Portland
10:30 pm ET – April 14, 2018
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada

After five matches without a win, including three losses, the Portland Timbers are finally home for the first time in 2018 and in desperate need of three points when they face a new-look Minnesota United FC squad that could feature Darwin Quintero at Providence Park.

Portland Timbers

A return to a renovated Providence Park is much needed for Portland (0-3-2), who conceded late for a second straight game in a 3-2 loss to Orlando City SC last Sunday. The Timbers led 2-0 on goals from Diego Valeri and Bill Tuiloma, but the Lions roared for three goals in the final 10 minutes to rob Portland of a first win.

That comes on the heels of Brandon Vincent’s 84th-minute equalizer for the Chicago Fire in a 2-2 draw. It was a problem that haunted the Timbers a year ago. But Portland coach Giovanni Savarese is resolute in his confidence that Portland will turn things around.

“I have no doubt that we’re going to improve that, as well,” Savarese said. “I know that is something that has been part of the past, but we’re going to continue to work to make sure we minimize that as much as we can. With mentality, with concentration, we are growing in that area.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Roy Miller (left Achilles tendon); QUESTIONABLE: D - Alvas Powell (right thigh), D - Liam Ridgewell (left lower leg), D - Vytas (right thigh)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Jake Gleeson — Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Zarek Valentin — Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes — Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Andy Polo — Fanendo Adi

Notes: Last weekend was Valeri’s 13th game with a goal and an assist for Portland since joining the club in 2013 (inc. playoffs). No other Portland player has more than four. … This will be Portland’s first game at Providence Park this season, where the team has won six straight league matches. The Timbers have outscored visitors 16-3 in that time.

Minnesota United FC

After back-to-back wins, Minnesota (2-3-0) have dropped consecutive contests, failing to score in losses to the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United. Can the club’s first Designated Player, the newly-signed Quintero, be that needed injection in the attacking third following a bye week?

“He is a quality footballer; that is the thing that you see straight away,” Loons coach Adrian Heath told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press last week. “Even now there is work for us to do and know where to give it to him and where to run off him. Even in the little small-sided stuff, there has been stuff of quality, moments of quality.

“Next week, we will probably start to integrate him more tactically and hopefully get him in a position where he feels as though he’s 100 percent for the Portland game.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino; QUESTIONABLE: D - Jerome Thiesson (left hip)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Matt Lampson — Tyrone Mears, Michael Boxall, Francisco Calvo, Marc Burch — Rasmus Schuller, Ibson — Ethan Finlay, Miguel Ibarra, Sam Nicholson — Darwin Quintero

Notes: Sam Nicholson is leading Minnesota in shots (inc. blocks) per game at 2.6. Last season, no Loon averaged more than 2.0 shots (inc. blocks) per game. … The Loons have conceded in 17 consecutive league matches, the longest active streak in MLS.

All-Time Series

Overall: Portland Timbers 1 win, 7 goals … Minnesota United FC 1 win, 4 goals … Ties 0
At Portland: Timbers 1 win, 5 goals … Minnesota United FC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
Last meeting at Portland: Portland Timbers 5, Minnesota United 1 (March 3, 2017)