Timbers vs. D.C United Match Preview, Timbers II in Open Cup
Two hot starters go head to head at Providence Park.
The Portland Timbers weren’t the only team who began the season exceeding expectations.
The two teams are almost mirrors of each other, playing with new coaches after disappointing seasons and coming right of the gate with dominating wins.
D.C United began the season ranked third to last in the preseason power rankings, but didn’t play like it when they defeated a New England Revolution side predicted to make a deep playoff run this year. Christian Benteke had a hat trick in a 3-1 victory, taking a advantage of a defensive breakdown and first half red card while producing a win that was just as or more impressive than the Timbers last week.
Taking a look at last weeks match and the storylines behind it can give us a glimpse of what’s to come when United comes to Providence Park on Saturday.
MLS Next Pro affiliate Timbers 2 also announced their participation in this years US Open Cup, replacing the usual senior side in the tournament.
Refresh from Rooney
United is looking to have a fresh start after Wayne Rooney’s unexciting tenure.
The England international and Manchester United legend spent two years as DC United’s striker in 2018 and 2019, and came back to coach the club in what was a mediocre at best tenure. He was ultimately let go after failing to make last years playoffs, and is currently a Premier League pundit after an unsuccessful spell at English Championship side Birmingham City.
United’s new hire Troy Lesesne is in his first season as head coach, coming off an impressive interim term leading the New York Red Bulls to a playoff berth into the second round after a bottom of the Eastern Conference performance in the mid season under their previous head coach Gerhard Struber. Lesesne was complimented by coach Phil Neville in his recent press conference, saying he “changed the way (Red Bulls) played” and was surprised that he didn’t get the permanent job.
This is expected to Lesesne’s first appearance on the sideline after sitting out United’s first match of the season due to a red card in the last Red Bulls playoff match.
Contain the Attack
We got to see a glimpse of Lesesne’s attack focused coaching style during D.C United’s preseason trip to Saudi Arabia (a move that is still being protested by fans due to the country’s human rights record), as well as last weeks beating of the New England Revolution.
Lesesne was quoted as describing his tactical style as “aggressive, and we’re going to be creative” which was shown right off the bat last week. Star striker and former Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke is coming off of a dominating hat trick, a feat that could be argued to come from both Benteke’s skill as well as the Rev’s atrocious goalkeeping, but nonetheless is the key to this United side. United had an astounding 30 shots to the Revs 10, which shows a clicking attacking front that will stay aggressive the whole match. We could see Benteke as the lone striker in the center or play as part of a dual striker partnership with forward Ted Ku-DiPietro. Benteke was a player highlighted in Neville’s press conference as being a dangerous player, and the Belgian international has been described by commentator Jake Ziven as one of the “most physically imposing forwards in MLS”.
Gabriel Pirani, a Brazilian playmaker who’s not unlike Evander is another threat on offense. Playing in the #10 role, he’ll be the key distributer to Benteke and Ku-DiPietro. He was signed permanently after being on loan from Brazilian club Santos for 10 matches last season.
Winger Jared Stroud is another strong offensive player and a new edition to United. Coming from St. Louis City, he tallied five goals and five assists in their regular season campaign that finished first in the Western Conference.
The defense is mostly armed with newcomers. Center-back Kamal Miller will face his former Inter Miami teammate Christopher McVey, also a center-back, and is joined by Finnish international Matti Peltola, a CDM who happens to be United’s most recent Designated Player signing. This defensive squad hasn’t been great, allowing one goal to a short-handed New England side as well as producing poor results in Saudi Arabia.
Availability and Tactics
The Timbers produced their winning result last week without key starters, and this is largely unchanged in attack.
Phil Neville stated that midfielder Evander is 50/50 coming back from his foot injury, while forward Felipe Mora was ruled as not currently match fit but is expected to be available for the away match against NYFC next week.
In the goalkeeper room, Maxime Crepeau will be available for Saturday’s match and is the expected starter, while James Pantemis is expected to be his back-up even after an impressive showing last week. Third string keeper Trey Muse is currently recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in training.
The main theme coming from Neville since preseason has been in keeping possession through the center-backs and the goalkeeper, and this has never been more important when dealing with Benteke and Co. Creapeu’s Timbers debut will be a test, and the Timbers can’t afford to give the ball away in the back half. His distribution skill should come into play as was shown in preseason, playing long balls to create distance between the strikers and the box.
Neville’s other focus mentioned in his press conference is preventing set pieces and free kicks. He had mentioned that besides center-back Zac McGraw, the Timbers aren’t a very big team in size, and dealing with set pieces needing strong headers can be a challenge. McGraw also touched on this saying it was “disappointing” to give up a goal and clean sheet to a free kick after working on it all preseason.
Last weeks lineup worked, and it’s not expected to be changed drastically, if at all. Having the back four is ideal for United’s strong attack and the forwards found a winning formula last weekend. Williamson as the central #10 and Antony on the left wing were standouts being the two goal scorers while Mosquera and Moreno have great chemistry on the right side. Paredes had some slick passes and is a serviceable substitute to Evander. Asprilla in the center-forward role should see some more involvement playing in place of Mora, as he was largely quiet the last time out.
Defensively, the “Canadian Shield” of Miller, McGraw and Crepeau should make life difficult for United’s strikers, both physically and with their passing ability.
US Open Cup
After months of speculation on the status of the US’s oldest soccer competition, the MLS has officially announced their lineup for this year’s Open Cup, which includes the senior MLS teams as expected along with development squads from MLS Next Pro.
The lineup includes eight senior MLS sides, including Atlanta United, FC Dallas, Sporting KC, LAFC, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, and the Seattle Sounders.
The Next Pro sides joining the tournament are Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago FC, Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, and finally the Portland Timbers, who’s affiliate is Timbers 2.
T2 will be a part of the third division along with USL League One and NISA teams matching up against amateur sides in the Open Division.
Looking to work with the increasing number of matches between the regular season, Open Cup, Leagues Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the Canadian Championship for Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and CF Montreal, the MLS had previously considered pulling out entirely despite disapproval from fans.
Previous versions of the tournament had weighed heavily on the MLS, who were looking for more involvement and promotion from the USSF. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was quoted as saying the MLS was essentially “subsidizing the tournament”, and would need improved financial conditions to make it worth while to participate.
The federation is set to make their “largest-ever investment in the tournament” bringing in new commercial partners and financial incentives for those participating, specifically citing increased travel reimbursement.
The first fan question at the Timbers preseason fan forum involved the US Open Cup, and showed a widespread desire to compete in the tournament which the Timbers have never won in their 49 year history.
Timbers II being involved is great exposure for the development squad residing in the third tier of the US soccer pyramid, and should still provide some exciting fixtures at Providence Park, but feels like a let down for the fans wanting to see the senior side lift the cup for the first time.
The Timbers aren’t in any other tournaments besides the Leagues Cup, and the Sounders involvement showed that it wouldn’t have been a travel budget or logistical issue either for the league. With the huge demand for the cup in Portland, not having the senior team play is a big disappointment.
Last week’s previous article about the cup is here.
Conclusion
After a rollercoaster week for the Timbers organization, following a dominant win and DP expectations with the announcement of DaBella’s sponsorship termination, it’ll be nice to focus on the soccer. Sponsor speculation among supporters has been active since the announcement, and the Timbers are expected to play in blank kits without a sponsor indefinitely.
The much anticipated DP signing should be announced any day now, which could elevate the Timbers back to the level of success we’ve been accustomed to in previous years.
Although it’s disappointing to not see the senior side in action during this years Open Cup, it’ll bring a lot of support out to T2, which is a fun experience already with free tickets and great seats at Providence Park.
D.C United is a dangerous team, however the Timbers proved the same thing last week. Maintaining possession and containing the attack will be key to a Timbers victory, and all in all should be a big night for Maxime Crepeau. The attackers will look to carry on the momentum from the last match as well, and it’ll be exciting to see these two dynamic sides clash.
The Timbers face D.C United at Providence Park Saturday, March 2nd at Providence Park with a projected 7:30pm kickoff time.