Portland Timbers VS
NCS Minnesota StarsSaturday, August 21st
5pm @ NSC Park
Live online at PortlandTimbers.com
Radio on 95.5 the Game
Portland hits the road this Saturday to play a return match against the Minnesota Stars as both teams jockey for playoff positioning with the playoffs fast approaching. Timbers (8-7-7, 31pts) are currently tied for 4th place in the USSF overall standings with 8 games remaining in the regular season. Minnesota (who played the Timbers to a 2-2 draw in their last meeting at PGE Park) trails Portland by only 3pts and in fact, there's only 4pts separating the 4th place and 8th place clubs. Every game counts the rest of the way and will have important ramifications as the teams head towards the playoffs.
The Timber's defense should see a boost with the return of team captain Ian Joy, who was forced to sit out their last match due to the red card booking he received against Minnesota on August 11th. Joy and the Timbers should be looking for some measure of revenge as they gave up a 2-1 lead at home, partly due to the ejection of Joy on a controversial call by the official. Portland's defense will need to show up with a strong performance. Minnesota has only scored 24 goals this season, but have been on a scoring tear in the last month, putting away 12 goals in their last 7 matches.
Offensively, Portland is still trying to find their groove. The team hopes that the signing of striker Ibad Muhamadu will help solve some their offensive woes and he did well in his first start last Saturday, leading the team with 5 shots on goal. The pairing of Ibad and Bright Dike has the potential to be an imposing and dominating duo upfront, a scoring punch the Timbers desperately need as they try and gain momentum before the playoffs. After Saturday, the Timbers will begin their last home-stand of the regular season with 3 games at PGE Park, starting with the 2nd place Austin Aztecs on Thursday.
** The Timbers will also play a special testimonial match in recognition of former Timber's legend Jimmy Conway. The game will be held at PGE Park at 5pm and will involve a select squad against team of former Timber players. We'll have more posted about this event in the coming week.
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