Ahead of Sporting Kansas City's match against Portland, SportingKC.com caught up with Timbers beat writer Jamie Goldberg to preview #SKCvPOR. Live coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. CT on FOX, Fox Deportes, 99.3 FM, and La Grande 1340 AM.
Timbers are seventh place in the West (29 points) heading into Sunday’s match. How would you assess the club’s season up to this point?
This has been a difficult season for the Timbers. They've been plagued by injuries and have now dealt with injuries to 12 different key players this year. Partly due to the injuries and partly due simply to poor performances on the backline, the Timbers have also struggled defensively this year. They have conceded 33 goals in 22 games, which is second worst in the Western Conference. Still, despite the struggles, the Timbers have remained around the red line and have taken significant strides in the second half of the season. Under Caleb Porter, the Timbers have always tended to play their best soccer in the final part of the year.
How will the absences of central defenders Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers impact Portland for Sunday’s match?
This is a huge loss for the Timbers. Portland has won just one game this season and posted a 1-4-4 record in games where Ridgewell doesn't play. In contrast, they are 6-3-4 when Ridgewell is in the lineup. This will be the first game since the start of 2015 that neither Borchers or Ridgewell will be in the lineup. Center backs Jermaine Taylor and Amobi Okugo will likely slot in for Ridgewell and Borchers. Taylor and Okugo held the LA Galaxy scoreless during their time on the field together last week, but the two center backs have never started alongside each other. Overcoming the defensive changes will be a major challenge for the Timbers.
What’s been the reason for Portland’s (0-4-6 record) struggles on the road?
The Timbers have actually been in a position to win in most of their road game this year. The problem is that Portland has either given up early goals or been unable to hold leads on the road this season. The Timbers haven't done a great job in big moments on defense, especially on the road this year. The club has played pretty well overall on the road, but hasn't been able to breakthrough and earn that win.
Who will be the key players for Portland in Sunday’s match?
I think Amobi Okugo and Jermaine Taylor will have to come up big for the Timbers if Portland hopes to earn a result Sunday. Defense is a major question mark for the Timbers going into the game, but Okugo and Taylor are experienced and have the ability to step up. Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi, who have led the way in the attack this season, will also be key for Portland. Valeri has been playing his best soccer over the last few months and is one of the most impactful attacking player in MLS this season.
What are some things (players, match-ups, et etc) you’ll be watching for from Sunday’s match?
I think both teams are dealing with some key absences, but I think the key thing in this game is how Portland's defense matches up against Kansas City's attacking players. The Timbers are looking to overcome some key defensive changes in this game and that's something that Kansas City may look to exploit.
