With wins last week against D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids, the Portland Timbers are on something they have not yet experienced this season: a winning streak. In fact, winning streaks are something that have been pretty rare for the Timbers in the last couple seasons. In 2014, the Timbers only had three winning streaks, all of them exactly two games long. Even in 2013, when the Timbers finished the season at the top of the Western Conference, they had a grand total of two winning streaks, both two games long. Sure, they had a 15 game unbeaten streak in there, but only the two winning streaks, if you can even call two games a streak, which you probably shouldn’t.
Want to know the last time the Portland Timbers went on a three game winning streak? April of 2010. They’ve got a chance to break their streak of no winning streaks this Saturday, when they take on the New England Revolution. Not only would a win mean a three game winning streak, a win could put the Timbers in third place (THIRD PLACE!) in the Western Conference and only a point out of second place.
Portland Timbers: Three keys vs New England Revolution
It’s amazing what a good week can do. Going into last week’s double game week, the Timbers were at the bottom of the Western Conference. Now there’s a new perspective after a good week for the Timbers and this weekend they could be almost at the top.
Looking forward, here’s the Timbers keys to the matchup against the New England Revolution.
1. Maxi and La Gata
Maxi Urruti and Gaston “La Gata” Fernandez both played significant, perhaps decisive roles for the Timbers in both wins last week. Urruti scored the opener (which happened to be the winner) against DC United, off a Fernandez assist, and Fernandez scored the opener against Colorado off an Urruti assist.
Beyond that, both players were more influential than they have been all season. For Urutti, it means he’s likely entrenched himself in the starting lineup ahead of Fanendo Adi, at least for now. With Diego Valeri likely to miss Saturday’s game as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, Fernandez will probably start as well.
For the Timbers, this is important. Not only have these two players hit some good form, they clearly have good chemistry, which has led to them hitting their form together. Their play, as individuals and together, will be key on Saturday. If Maxi and La Gata are clicking, the Timbers attack should produce, especially against a Revolution team missing Jermaine Jones.
2. Speaking of streaks
The Revolution come into this game on a five match winless streak. They’ve only lost once in that span, but five games without a win is never a good thing. The fact that Jermaine Jones is out with injury and Juan Agudelo is away on USMNT duty spells more trouble for the Revolution.
Now, that doesn’t mean the Timbers can walk through this one and take the Revolution lightly. This is still a team that has Charlie Davies, Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, and a seemingly back in form Diego Fagundez in a dangerous attack. They’ve also lost only one of their last 12 games.
3. Score early, or draw
The strength of the Revolution team this year lies in their attack, which, even without Juan Agudelo is still very dangerous. They’ve scored 20 goals this year, second most in MLS, but they’ve given up 18, tied for third worst in MLS. The Timbers are the inverse, giving up only 14 goals, good for fourth best in the league, but scoring only thirteen.
The Revolution have only been shut out twice since week two of this season. Even with the Timbers defensive quality, a shutout is not likely. That means multiple goals will probably be needed for a win. If the Timbers can get an early goal it will put pressure on New England to push numbers in the attack, creating chances for the Timbers on the counter. That might be their best recipe for a victory. In reality though, this game has draw written all over it.
