Our prediction for this MLS match:
Providence Park will host Sunday’s MLS playoffs game between Portland Timbers and Minnesota United. Portland are a real force to be reckoned with at home, with the team recording five wins in the previous six games at Providence Park. The Timbers have been scoring goals for fun of late, and it should come as no surprise the bookies see them as favourites to made it to the MLS playoffs quarter-finals.
Keep in mind, though, that all Bill Tuiloma, Felipe Mora, Blake Bodily, Eryk Williamson, Andy Polo, Jeff Attinella, and Ismaila Jome are out of contention with injuries. The Loons, on the other hand, look sharp in front of goal as well, and, taking everything into account, a high-scoring affair is on the cards. Emanuel Reynoso is banned for the match, while fellow midfielder Justin McMaster misses out with injury.
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.
Highlighted Team (Minnesota United):
Based in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, Minnesota United are a professional soccer club that will compete in the Western Conference in the Major League Soccer from 2017. The Loons will make their MLS debut against Portland Timbers on March 4, 2017 and, no doubt, they have big ambitions for the forthcoming season.
Minnesota United are the sixth team to join MLS from a lower division and they will welcome their rivals at TCF Bank Stadium. The capacity of the stadium is 52.525 and it was opened in September, 2009. Bill McGuire is the club’s owner and he is on a quest to turn Minnesota United into a top-table side in the Western Conference.
Adrian Heath will be in charge of the club in the 2017 season and it has to be noted that the English tactician used to train the likes of Manchester City, Everton, Aston Villa and Espanyol in the past. You should know that the club was founded on March 25, 2015.