GAME PREVIEW: Timbers to Play Defending Champions on Sunday

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Portland Timbers

vsMontreal Impact

Sunday, April 25th
11am @ Stade Saputo Stadium
Live online at PortlandTimbers.com
Radio on 95.5 The Game

Photo: Jeremy Olson / digitalgopher.net

The Timbers embark on their first road trip of the regular season, as they head northward to Montreal for a Sunday afternoon showdown against the defending USL champions.

L'Impact will pose as a serious early test for the Timbers (2-0-0) who remain undefeated on the young season. Portland is coming off two victories at PGE Park, but still has room for improvement as the team continues to familiarize itself with all its new parts. With Coach Gavin Wilkinson returning to the sidelines, literally, minutes before kickoff against St Louis, and a handful of other players recently returning from injury, the Timbers are still scrambling to hit their full stride. The team has experienced some early season jitters, involving moments of sloppy play and complacency in small stretches, but nothing that raises any major concern. The team also expects to see the return of 2009 point leader Mandjou Keita to the lineup, which should provide a nice boost to the offense on Sunday.

Keys to a Portland victory will revolve around their cohesion offensively. They'll have to take care of the ball, maintain possession, and show patience in their attack. Last season, the Timbers found success against Montreal in their two regular season meetings, beating the Impact 4-0 at home and 1-0 at Stade Saputo Stadium. And much like last season, intensity level will again be a major focus. With Sunday being their home opener, Montreal will likely start the game with an emotional lift, so Portland will need to come out and match the Impact's aggression and raised intensity level. Montreal (0-1-0) will also be looking to bounce back from their regular season opener, a 2-0 loss to the Austin Aztecs down in Texas, in which their play was reportedly less than stellar.

Montreal was the "team that choked" in 2009 (the infamous on-field incident pictured above), although ironically enough they were incredibly clutch in the playoffs, overcoming a mediocre regular season (finishing 5th overall) to sweep through the postseason on their way to the franchise's 3rd league championship. Montreal returns almost their entire championship winning club, their only major loss, midfielder Joey Gjersten, who's been replaced by solid, international talent in Filipe Soares and Philippe Billy. Pushing hard for a MLS bid in 2012, the Impact possess a roster stocked full of talent. They're a very balanced team, good in all areas, and very dangerous when they're clicking and completely focused. Expectations are astronomical in Montreal, anything less than another championship would be viewed as a disappointment by the fans. And when it's all said and done, they might indeed be the last team standing when all the dust settles again.

* It should also be noted, to be fair, that the players involved in the choking altercation (Sandro Grande and Mauro Biello) are no longer with the team this season.

Players to Watch
Roberto Brown - The 32-year old forward from Panama City, returns for his 4th season with L'Impact. Roberto has scored 15 goals in 59 career games, leading the club with 7 goals in 2009, and 2 goals in the postseason. Had the final and essentially championship winning goal against Vancouver in 2009.

Tyler Hemming - A Canadian product currently involved with their national team system, Hemming is young prospect with a lot of potential in his 1st year with Montreal. Started and played 57 minutes in their season opener versus Austin.

Rocco Placentino - Rocco is an aggressive and offensive minded player out of the midfield. The 28-year old Canadian had 33 shot attempts in 27 appearances last season and also lead them with 3 shots last week.