With both Seattle and
Portland the West seeds, they are ready to rumble with their respective foes to
tango in the road to the finals of Major League Soccer.
A Cascadia well
represented by Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, being Houston the only outsider
from this threesome; the road to the finals can between the Pacific Northwest.
Still do not count
the Lone Star State Boys of the Dynamo out- after their one of a kind feat
against a resilient and tough Sporting Kansas City, since letting go of Dom
Dwyer their attacking game has not been the same.
As the Seattle
Sounders are to travel to BC Place and face off their cross the border Cascadia
foes the Vancouver Whitecaps, as the tale of the tape shows of a certain all
time dominance by the Rave Greens since these came up in MLS.
A record shows off
the Sounders record of 8-7-5 and positive numbers netted in Vancouver with a
mark of 4-3-4, still this campaign both squads shared a record of 1-1-1, with
the Caps win at BC Place in April by a 2-1 score, followed by a draw at 1-1 at
BC Place.
However, the Seattle
Boys won big on Century Link back in September to a score of 3-0, when the Caps
were on an all-around revival and displaying top of the line football.
Despite the numbers
favoring the Sounders, still the Caps have something to brag about as the Kings
of Cascadia by being the ones with the most wins in this competition, at the
end that will not be a deterrent for both squads.
At the contrary is an
incentive for both squads to display their best football ever and see whom will
the one be to make the feat, as the Caps playing at home are one tough foe to
meddle with and for Seattle shown to have some notable absences.
The outcome for this
series can give some advantage for the Canadians, as the Sounders with Clint
Dempsey suspension in the first leg, but available in the second leg.
In addition to
Dempsey loss in the opening, the Sounders important players with injuries are
Ozzie Alonso, Jordan Morris, Victor Rodriguez and Gustav Svennson, being a
deficiency in the initial eleven sent by manager Brian Schmetzer on the 29 of
October.
No favorites in this
series as both squads despite each seeing their notable players out, Vancouver
can show off a slight edge, but not much.
As the Portland
Timbers manager Caleb Porter knowing who will be their foe in the next round,
he counts on his squad momentum and hunger to display a one of a kind series
against the Houston Dynamo.
In this campaign the
Portland Timbers against Houston, these won on their third game of the campaign
to a 4-2 score in Providence Park and later going to BBVA Park to a 2-2 draw,
still this does not assure anything for the Portland Boys.
With the first match
of the playoffs to play in Houston BBVA Compass Stadium, the challenge of
playing in the road for the Timbers will put on a test after a tie in the
regular campaign, on a match almost won by the PTFC; whoever displays a
positive score will mark the difference.
So far, the Portland
squad has set the tone and coming with an all-around momentum since their last
two wins and although being at home, the Cheesmaster and company will have one
of their utmost of challenges playing in Houston.
As both squads will
be coming with notable wins that uplifted their confidences, this series will
be one close one as Houston is playing an outstanding football lately under
manager Wilmer Cabrera, in the semifinals maybe a return to their prime.
Still for the
Portland Boys their memories of 2015 are back in their minds and with a
complete initial eleven without injuries; with the exception of Faneando Adi
still in the injured list but anytime he can make his return.
For Manager Caleb
Porter putting all his trust lately in Darren Mattocks and so far the Reggae
Boy is delivering in every match, his speed can be lethal for the Orangemen
defenders as well the triage of Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe and Sebastian
Blanco.
Alongside the likes
of Diego Chara and David Guzman that can make the overall difference.
As the Dynamo has
another trio in its attack formed by a lone Cubo Torres and his court in Tomas
Martinez, Alex and today match hero against SKC Alberth Elis, these will become
a handful for the Portland defense in both matches.
To conclude this
series between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo looks very even and no
one’s advantage over one another, come November 5 we will know the victor of
this series.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of Vancouver
Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers 2017
Photos Credit and Property of Craig
Mitchelldyer 2017
Photos Credit and Property of © 2017
Major League Soccer
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