Our prediction for this MLS match:
Portland Timbers
Match Time & Date:
03/10/2024
04:30
Prediction: 3-1
Austin FC
Portland Timbers take on Austin FC in a highly-anticipated Western Conference clash, with the hosts looking to edge closer to securing their playoff spot. Portland have found good form at the right time, and with no fresh injury concerns, they will be eager to take advantage of Austin’s recent struggles. As a win should see the Timbers move one step closer to booking their spot in the playoffs, they are likely to leave their hearts on the field.
Austin FC, on the other hand, have been in poor form, struggling to maintain consistency in the season finale. To make things worse, both goalkeeper Matt Bersano and defender Matt Hedges are doubtful for this match, potentially weakening their backline further. Austin’s shaky defence could struggle to cope with Portland’s attack, especially in front of a passionate home crowd. Given Portland’s solid form and the visitors’ ongoing issues, we predict that the hosts are going to emerge triumphant in the midweek clash.
Highlighted Player (Dario Zuparic):
Dario Zuparic is a Croatian footballer, who plays for Pescara as a defender. Zuparic played for the likes of Sladograna Zupanja, NK Granicar Zupanja and Cibalia during his youth career. He continued playing for Cibalia at senior level and he made 57 league appearances for the Croatian outfit from 2011 to 2013.
In 2013 he signed a contract with Pescara and made 21 appearances for the team in the 2013/2014 Serie B campaign. Zuparic quickly established himself as a first-team regular at Pescara and it has to be noted that he played 36 games for the Delfini in the 2015/2016 season. The Pescara highly rated defender was born in Croatia, but he started playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He has 3 caps for Bosnian and Herzegovina U19 team, but he eventually decided to represent Croatia on the international stage. Zuparic has 5 caps for Croatia U20 and he played three matches for Croatia U21. The 188-cm-tall footballer was born on 3 May, 1992 in Zupanja.
Highlighted Team (Portland Timbers):
Founded in 2009, Portland Timbers is a soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers are well known for their green kit and their secondary colours are red and black. Portland welcome their opponents at Providence Park and the capacity of their home ground is 21.144.
The club hold a long-running rivalry with Seattle Sounders as the two clubs used to face each other in the North American Soccer League. In 2015 Portland Timbers did remarkably well to win the MLS Cup and that is considered the club’s biggest success.
The Timbers defeated Columbus Crew in the final of the tournament and it has to be noted that the title game was hosted by Mapfre Stadium (Columbus).
Former Premier League footballer Liam Ridgewell played for Portland in the 2015 MLS Cup final against Columbus Crew. Speaking of the club’s supporters, you should have in mind that the Timbers sold out almost every home game in the MLS. Portland’s main supporters group is the Timbers Army.
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