Game 22: AC St. Louis v. Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers face an important away game at AC St. Louis on Saturday night. After sharing points with Minnesota on Wednesday, the Timbers now only have three home games in their last nine to pick up points. Away points, especially against clubs who should be beatable, are crucial at this point in the season. Unfortunately, Portland cannot be expected to do much of anything positive away from PGE Park, particularly against St. Louis. Portland have failed to win two of the three meetings against the new club including an embarrassing 3-0 drubbing in late July.

With Ian Joy’s red card against Minnesota, the Timbers will face a definite deficiency at the back against St. Louis. Joy has missed several games recently due to injury, rest and yellow card accumulation. In those matches Portland has not fared particularly well, again especially in the pathetic display against St. Louis last month. Potential good news for the Timbers is the inclusion of new striker Ibad Muhamadu in the mid-week game. While he was not afforded much of a chance to perform, seeing only eight minutes of action, his presence alone replaces the useless forward position previously inhabited by Mandjou Keita. With the latter seemingly gone for good, Muhamadu should get a chance to show his worth in St. Louis.

For Portland, each game now is of grave importance. Failure to earn points puts the playoffs in question. St. Louis are not a good side and can certainly be beaten, even away. Three points are vital for the Timbers.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II