Portland Timbers welcome St. Louis CITY SC this weekend in a match that is more than meets the eye. Phil Neville's side are hoping to record consecutive home victories since last August, while CITY SC come into town on the back of ending their own 11-game winless run.
Portland seeks stability and strength locally
After the whirlwind month of May, Portland Timbers enjoyed ten days of downtime to recover and recharge. They closed out the month with their win over the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, and registered three points in their overall positive streak of two wins, two draws, and two defeats. There were some downturns to be sure, but they were in the hunt in the upper reaches of the Western Conference. They have 26 points and are tied with Seattle Sounders in fifth place.
Their home form is supported by the statistics. The Timbers are unbeaten in their home games since their home opener loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps by 4-1: seven games in which they haven't lost, four wins and three draws. The fortress remains, and the issue is now how to make home form a genuine winning advantage.
Shared scoring, creative spark in the middle.
Part of the essence of Phil Neville's team has been balance to the attack. Co-leaders of the team's MLS goals with five are Kevin Kelsy, Antony, and Felipe Mora. It's not a top-striked offense, but with several players who can make the difference. The brain of the team is named and the statistics to back it up: David Da Costa. The team's number 10 is the assist leader in the league with eight key passes. With David, Portland is providing creativity, vision, and the solution when teams clog their defense.
Over a St. Louis team that is still looking to be consistent, Da Costa's playmaking can be game-altering. With home advantage on their side, now is the time for him to shine.
CITY SC rounds the bend and sees light at the end of the tunnel
St. Louis CITY SC's season seemed to be cursed. The team's dreadful start resulted in Swedish coach Olof Mellberg being sacked on May 27 -- just five months into his appointment. David Critchley, promoted from the reserve team ranks of CITY2, took his place, and the change was instantaneous. In his first match as the interim coach, he led the side to a 2-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes, ending an embarrassing run of 11 MLS matches without a victory.
Besides the relief, the win also dispelled the emotional doldrums. Klauss and Eduard Löwen scored, and Critchley showed he can get more from the team that has appeared bogged down. The win was against no lesser stalwart than Bruce Arena, the MLS all-time winningest coach. It was as big of statement as any about St. Louis CITY SC, not yet refined, still with gas in the tank.