Our prediction for this MLS match:
San Jose Earthquakes will be aiming to make amends for a 1-0 loss to Seattle Sounders when they take on Portland Timbers at Earthquakes Stadium. San Jose failed to extend their winning run to four matches in midweek, but they are surely capable of matching Portland Timbers at home ground. Oswaldo Alanis faces race against clock to be fit for Sunday’s match, but head coach Omar Asad has no other selection worries.
Portland Timbers, on the other hand, failed to impress in a 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders, which is probably the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. All Sebastian Blanco, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Aljaz Ivacic, Steve Clark, and Cristhian Paredes are out of contention for the visitors, while Renzo Jose Zambrano is a major doubt. In their last meeting in MLS Portland outplayed San Jose 3-0, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Player (Danny Hoesen):
After making only one league appearance for Fortuna Sittard, Danny Hoesen joined English club Fulham in 2009, but he did not see any game action for the capital club during his spell at Craven Cottage as he was sent on loan to HJK and Fortuna Sittard.
In 2012 the 186-cm tall attacker signed a deal with Ajax and he scored seven goals in 32 league appearances for the Amstedammers from 2012 to 2014. In 2014 he joined fellow Eredivisie outfit Groningen and during the 2016/2017 season he was on San Jose Earthquakes’ radar. The Dutch footballer, who was born on January 15, 1991 in Heerlen, Limburg will play for the MLS outfit (on loan) in the 2017 season.
Speaking of his international career, Daniel Hoesen has 10 caps for Netherlands U17 team and he made three appearances for the Dutch U21 side. He is still a Groningen player and his contract with the Eredivisie side expires on June 30, 2018.
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.