Seattle Sounders aim to end road-woes versus Portland Timbers
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Sounders need to end three-game losing streak in Portland, to get their playoff challenge back on track.
The Seattle Sounders are officially at the halfway point of their regular season. As such, it’s time to get their act together and start performing more consistently, especially on their travels.
Through nine road games, the Sounders have been a sorry sight. They’ve only won once and overall have picked up just five points from a possible 27.
Unfortunately for the Rave Green, any aim to turn around their away form will be met by the toughest of challenges on Sunday. That’s because they will face the Timbers in Portland, where they have had a tough time winning in recent years.
Seattle has lost on their previous three trips to Oregon in the regular season and have only won once in the previous eight visits. Overall, they have a record of 2-5-2 in nine MLS games away to Portland. (2-6-2, including the playoff fixture in 2013.)
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The task becomes even more difficult, when you consider the Timbers’ home record in general this year in league play. Through eight regular season games, they have a record of 5-1-2.
Of course, statistics can usually be manipulated to support any argument and in that respect, the Timbers aren’t some formidable opponent that is invincible at home. They have lost at home this season and the Sounders have proven in the past that they can win at Providence Park.
If nothing else, Seattle is approaching Sunday’s Cascadia Cup clash with confidence, at least if head coach Brian Schmetzer is anything to go by. Speaking to Ryan Krasnoo of SoundersFC.com, Schmetzer said:
"“We’re a good team. There were spells against Orlando and the last couple of games where we’d play some good stuff. I think we’ve been a little inconsistent this year. (Play) good defense and put your chances away, and hopefully we’ll start stringing together some good results.”"
Another reason for the Sounders’ confidence comes from the fact they have a nearly full-strength roster. The only questionable players are defender Brad Evans (left calf strain) and forward Seyi Adekoya (left ankle sprain).
This is excellent news, considering Sunday will represent the second of three games in eight days for Seattle. Not that the fixture congestion seems to be a problem for Schmetzer and his team, as he told Krasnoo:
"“One of the hallmarks of this group is that they’re mentally strong,” said Schmetzer. “They would much rather play earlier than let that sit for a full week. One day, two days’ shorter rest is always good.”"
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What’s your take heading into Sunday’s clash in Portland? What do you predict the final outcome will be and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section.