Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC
2017 MLS Regular Season - Week 1
Providence Park - Portland, Oregon
Friday, March 3 - 9:30 pm ET
WATCH: FS1, FOX DeportesMLS SOCCER Kicks off tonight in Portland, as the Timbers take on Minnesota United FC!!!
A club with championship ambitions and an established core that was further strengthened by astute offseason acquisitions welcomes an expansion side still taking shape, fueled by a start-up’s adrenaline and a desire to prove the skeptics wrong in their first-ever match. That’s Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC – the match that officially kicks off the 2017 MLS season on Friday night, March 3.
Portland Timbers
The Timbers come in with a chip on their shoulder after missing the MLS Cup Playoffs and failing to defend their 2015 title. But with the additions of ball-hounding defensive midfielder David Guzman and playmaking winger Sebastian Blanco, the Timbers are arguably more stacked and explosive than they’ve ever been in their MLS existence. And those acquisitions carry a ripple effect: They allow the dynamic Diego Chara to push higher up the field and slick possession man Darlington Nagbe to operate on the left wing, where the Timbers vow he will be most productive.
Suspended: None
Injured: DF Gbenga Arokoyo (ruptured Achilles tendon)
Int’l Duty: FW Jeremy Ebobisse (US U-20s)
Projected Timbers Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jake Gleeson – Vytas Andriuskevicius, Liam Ridgewell, Lawrence Olum, Alvas Powell – David Guzman, Diego Chara – Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco – Fanendo Adi
Notes: Costa Rican international defender Roy Miller will reportedly join the team on March 6 after wrapping up CONCACAF Champions League participation with Deportivo Saprissa, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Miller can play at left back and center back if necessary … The Timbers are pursuing a starting caliber center back after Gbenga Arokoyo suffered a season-ending injury on Jan. 30. MLS veteran Lawrence Olum, who was brought in as cover at defensive midfield, has proven more than capable as a fill-in thus far.
Minnesota United FC
Minnesota’s preseason record (0-2-5) feeds into the narrative of an expansion team that’s going to need more time to find its on-field identity. The squad, steadily assembled throughout the offseason, features interesting pieces: experienced defenders (Calvo, Demidov), skillful possession-based midfielders (Schuller, Warner, Saeid) and explosive wingers and attackers (Gatt, Molino, Ibarra, Venegas, Danladi). Now whether they can function like a fine-tuned machine is up to new head coach Adrian Heath, who has promised high energy and fight in every match, a style reminiscent of his teams in Orlando.
Suspended: None
Injured: FW Abu Danladi (back in training on Tuesday after missing a week with an injury
Int’l Duty: None
Projected MNUFC Starting XI: John Alvbage – Justin Davis, Francisco Calvo, Vadim Demidov, Jermaine Taylor – Rasmus Schuller, Collen Warner – Bashkim Kadrii, Johan Venegas, Kevin Molino – Christian Ramirez
Notes: Swiss defender Jerome Thiesson is reportedly yet to join the team due to visa paperwork … Defender Vadim Demidov was named captain and left back Justin Davis as vice captain.
http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2017-03-03-portland-timbers-vs-minnesota-united-fc/previewTonight, Fox Sports 1!!! Who will be watching?