Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland will be aiming to build on back-to-back wins over San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake when they host Austin to their Providence Park on the last day of the regular season. The Timbers have already clinched fourth position in the standings, meaning that head coach Carlos Llamosa could opt to rest several first-team regulars in Sunday’s clash. All Loria, Fochive, Mora, and Moreno are pushing for a start, while Attinella, Jome, Polo, and Williamson should miss out with injuries.
Austin, on the other hand, do not seem to be competitive at this level, and given their poor away record in the Major League Soccer, anything but a routine home win would be a major surprise. All Besler, Hoesen, Redes, Schoenfeld, Segura, and Sweat are likely to miss the match with injuries, while Jimenez returns from suspension. You should know that Austin are on an eight-game losing run on the road.
Highlighted Player (Andres Flores):
Nicknamed Ruso, Andres Flores joined River Plate youth academy in 2006. Flores played for River Plate’s Reserves from 2006 to 2008 and he was producing terrific displays with los Millonarios. However, he began his professional career in his homeland club Isidro Metapan, scoring ten goals in 95 appearances for the Salvadorian outfit. In 2012 he signed a loan deal with Danish club Viborg, but he played only one game for the Greens.
Andres Flores was then sent on a loan to New York Cosmos and after making eight appearances for the MCU Park outfit, he signed a permanent contract with the club in 2015. The El Salvador midfielder, who is capable of playing as a striker as well, made his debut for New York Cosmos on August 2, 2014 in a 1-0 loss to Carolina RailHawks.
Speaking of his international career, Andres Flores received his first call-up for the El Salvador national football team in March, 2008 in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago.