Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Match Preview

Sunday, September 07, 2014

David Cath, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Timbers are set to host San Jose for the first time all season. Photo Credit: frozenchipmunk via Compfight cc

The Portland Timbers look to capitalize on a favorable schedule as they continue to vie for the last playoff spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

The fifth-place Timbers will face the eighth-place San Jose Earthquakes at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Providence Park.

Here's what to watch for.

San Jose:

The Earthquakes’ strengths revolve around aerial duels, attacking set pieces, and crosses into the middle of the box. As a result, look for San Jose to often make attacking runs down the sideline, an area where Portland is defensively weak.

With an offensive style dedicated to the crossing ball, look for the Timbers to force the counterattack more often.

San Jose has scored seven goals off set pieces, counting for almost one-fourth of the team's goals (24 percent), according to http://www.whoscored.com.

Sunday’s game is the first regular season match between the two teams. San Jose has won only one of their last seven games, scoring seven goals while conceding 13.

In terms of offense, emerging striker Tommy Thompson has shown promise in creating viable scoring chances, and we will see if a Tommy Thompson-Chris Wandolowski duo can spark a much-needed offensive showing.

Statistics to keep in mind:

• The Earthquakes concede twice as many shots to their opponents in away games (16).
• Average possession is under 50 percent with a pass-succession rate of only 78 percent.

What to fear from San Jose:

Conceding the first goal.

It is hard to foresee a San Jose victory, primarily due to an aging backline, but San Jose has not lost an MLS game this season after taking a lead into halftime, according to figures from http://www.mlssoccer.com.

Portland:

More playing time for forwards Fanendo Adi and Maximiliano Urruti.

If Head Coach Caleb Porter is predicating his next lineup on the previous game, expect to see Fanendo Adi in the starting forward position again. Adi has played fewer minutes than Maximiliano Urruti, yet scored more goals, according to the Timbers' website.

A strong offensive showing against the Vancouver Whitecaps should tempt Head Coach Caleb Porter into giving more playing time to Fanendo Adi and Maximiliano Urruti.

Portland has earned at least one point in five of its last seven games (4-2-1), while averaging two goals a game.

But it’s not Adi or Urruti who are solely making the difference; it's the passing interplay that leads to the forwards, starting with the backline.

The San Jose Earthquakes look to make one last playoff push. Photo Credit: The Bay Area Bias via Compfight cc

Emerging wingback Alvas Powell.

Powell scored his first MLS career goal against Vancouver last Saturday. Combine that with a strong showing against CONCACAF Champions League opponent Alpha United, a through ball from the midfield out to a streaking Powell should be a common sight.

And the man supplying those midfield through balls: Diego Valeri.

Valeri has nine assists on the season, and has registered a point in six of the last nine regular-season matches for the Timbers.

Of course, look for Adi to ultimately be on the receiving end.

An established defensive line?

A backline anchored by Liam Ridgewell and Pa Modou Kah showed fans the best defensive performance of the season. Coming off that performance at Vancouver, look for a similar line given a week’s worth of rest between games.

Is it a definitive Portland defensive line?

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but this is an example of the benefits of CCL play. The Timbers have the ability to showcase talent that may have otherwise been left untested.

The San Jose match is the first of three meetings over the next five weeks.

The Timbers should expect at least one point from each match as they try to extend their lead over Vancouver, which is standing just one point behind Portland.

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Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Match Preview

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