Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Minnesota Utdvs.Portland

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 May 2024, 12:05
Two sides operating at opposite ends of the Major League Soccer table come together on Sunday morning as Minnesota United host Portland Timbers at Allianz Field.

The hosts are currently second in the Western Conference with two games in hand on those around them, eight points above the visitors in 11th place.

Match preview

A disappointing last campaign saw Minnesota Utd fail to make the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2018, resulting in the sacking of long-term manager Adrian Heath, who had been in charge since joining the MLS as an expansion team in 2017.

An unusually long process of replacing Heath saw the club hire two interim managers before eventually appointing Eric Ramsay, who took over after three games of the season.

Ramsay's first match in charge went perfectly to plan as they ran out 3-0 winners against Los Angeles FC, but two defeats and a draw followed in the next three.

Minnesota Utd have bounced back in their recent outings, securing victories in three and a draw in another, propelling them to second place in the Western Conference.

While the rest of the top six have all played 13 times, Ramsay's men have only taken to the field on 11 occasions so far allowing them to move to the top of the table with wins in their games in hand.

Portland are next up for Minnesota, and Phil Neville's team come into this one having put an end to their winless streak with a 4-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes last time out.

Neville's start to life at Portland went excellently as they won 4-1 on the opening day, followed by a draw with DC United and another victory against New York City FC.

However, the Timbers then embarked on a nine-game winless streak that had them second from bottom in the Western Conference, only FC Dallas sitting on lower points at that point.

A crucial victory against San Jose, which saw Portland come from two goals down at half-time to win 4-2, has pushed Neville's men into 11th and within three points of the MLS Cup playoff qualification spots.

Neville will be hoping to build on that positive performance and result in the upcoming encounter with Minnesota, who Portland failed to beat in any of the meetings last season.

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

D

L

W

W

W

D

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

D

D

L

L

L

W

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without no fewer than five players for this encounter with Portland.

Hassani Dotson and Moses Nyeman have both been ruled out with thigh injuries, with Hugo Bacharach also out after suffering a severe knee problem in April.

Jordan Adebayo-Smith is expected to remain on the sidelines until later this month due to an ankle injury, while Emanuel Reynoso is also unavailable due to off-field issues.

As for the visitors, leg injuries for both Claudio Bravo and Miguel Araujo has ruled them out for this one.

Marvin Loria is not expected to make a return until early next month after sustaining a knee injury in late February.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St. Clair; Arriaga, Boxall, Tapias; Taylor, Trapp, Lod, Rosales; Hlongwane, Oluwaseyi, Jeong

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Zuparic, E Miller, K Miller; Mosquera, Chara, Evander, Rodriguez; Moreno, Mora, Alves

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Portland Timbers

Portland may be high on confidence after a fantastic comeback victory during midweek, but Ramsay's men have proved to be a difficult team to beat in their matches this season.

Minnesota have won both the last two meetings between these sides, while they have not lost at home in this fixture in any of the last seven, leading us to believe the hosts will be victorious in this one.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their quest to sign AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly identified Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio as a potential replacement for their current number one Ederson. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has questioned Marcus Rashford's team after the forward recently admitted he could leave the club in the near future. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed that Kristoffer Ajer suffered an ankle injury at the weekend. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford has created a 'hard situation' after declaring he is seeking a Manchester United exit. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk There is a legitimate case that Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's best ever player, and he could surpass Thierry Henry sooner rather than later, according to Liverpool expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout - but he is in no rush to return. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are in desperate need of a response when they travel to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban.