Game Preview: Big Road Test, Timbers Take on First Place Austin

Portland Timbers

VS

Austin Aztecs

Wednesday June 9th
5:30 pm @ House Park
Watch Online @ PortlandTimbers.com
Radio on 95.5 The Game
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The Portland Timbers head down south as they prepare to play the Austin Aztecs (7-2-1), who are currently in first place in the overall USSF standings with 23 points. The Timbers (3-3-3) are in a 3-way tie for 5th place with 12 total points. Wednesday evening's game will be the first meeting between these two teams for the 2010 season.

Portland's first extended road trip of the year won't be an easy one, as they'll head to Miami for a game with the 9th place Blues on Saturday. With the Timber's recent struggles, winless in their last 5 league matches, coming away with any points from this trip will be a positive. In order to steal some points on the road, Portland will need to find a way to score more goals. Coach Gavin Wilkinson has been tinkering with the line-up to find a scoring threat up front, where the Timbers have been inconsistent and stagnant. Forward Bright Dike has been playing well lately, recording an assist in his first start against Carolina. Expect him to get the start again versus Austin. As a team, Portland has scored 10 goals this season and given up 8 through 9 games.

Finishing chances aside, the Timbers have played relatively good soccer. Controlling possession, playing with energy, and outshooting opponents. However, costly lapses on defense has been the Timber's Achilles's heel. Too many times already this season, Portland has given away points in the standings in the final minutes of a matche a result of momentary breakdowns in communication, lackadaisical marking, and perhaps a bit of bad luck. Either way, the bleeding needs to stop soon.

It'll also be interesting to see how many adjustments Coach Gavin Wilkinson will make during this road trip. Will there be changes to the backline? Will he make more defensive oriented substitutions or bring players off the bench earlier?

Meanwhile, Austin has been on fire. After their struggles last year, in part due to injuries, the Aztecs fell short of making the playoffs, but with some key changes made to their roster during the off-season, Austin has gelled quickly and elevated their play all the way into first place. The team is now a mix of young talent and experienced veterans, and has a strong international flavor to it, with players from England, Jamaica, Brazil, Cuba, Kenya, and Mexico. Unlike Portland, Austin has been getting great production out of their strikers; through 10 games, the Aztecs have score 21 goals and their 7 wins this season leads the league. Austin is also riding a 3 game winning streak, starting with a 3-1 win over Miami, then beating Baltimore 2-0, and defeating Puerto Rico 2-1 on Saturday.

Players to Watch
Edward Johnson - The Englishman and former Chester City striker has really started to take off in Austin. Johnson scored 6 goals for the Aztec last season and has 6 goals, 2 assists already in 2010. He'll be a handful for the Timber's backline.

Jamie Watson - The young Texas striker has shot for 5 goals so far this season. Although small in stature, the 5'9 Watson uses his speed and endless energy to put pressure on opposing defenses and certainly isn't shy about challenging the goalkeeper. Watson has also recorded 1 assist.

Leonard Griffin - The former Timber is now a veteran defender for the Aztec. After an injury plagued season with the LA Galaxy, Griffin has been on a tear offensively this year in Austin, scoring 2 goals and passing for 2 assists. Also, Leonard is the older brother of forward Maxwell Griffin, a recent UCLA graduate who has 2 goals, 2 assists for Austin this season as well. Watch out for those Griffins.


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