Phil Neville faces selection headaches ahead of the Portland Timbers' upcoming clash with St. Louis City, as three key players remain sidelined with injuries. The "Timbers" coach must navigate another match without Zac McGraw, James Pantemis, and Jonathan Rodríguez as his squad looks to build on their recent form.
Portland's 2-1 victory over Colorado Rapids showed promising signs, with Kevin Kelsy finding the net in the 76th minute after Antony opened the scoring. The Timbers dominated possession with an impressive 71% and peppered the Rapids goal with 23 attempts.
"We're creating chances and controlling games, which is exactly what we need to continue doing," a club source revealed when discussing the team's recent performances.
Their opponents, "St. Louis City," enter the fixture following their own 2-1 triumph against San Jose Earthquakes. João Klauss struck just before halftime, while Eduard Löwen secured the win with a dramatic 92nd-minute goal.
Interestingly, these teams produced a goal-fest in their last meeting, sharing eight goals in a 4-4 thriller last August. Remember that one? Jonathan Rodríguez, Felipe Mora (twice), and Evander all scored for Portland in that encounter.
St. Louis has been involved in high-scoring affairs recently, with at least three goals scored in five of their last six matches. Their defensive vulnerabilities might give Portland confidence - especially at home.
Despite their offensive capabilities, St. Louis' defensive record suggests Portland should find the net. Bookmakers currently favor the home side, offering odds of 1.67 for a Timbers victory compared to 4.75 for an away win.
Can Portland capitalize on their home advantage and continue their winning momentum? With key players sidelined, Neville will need his squad depth to deliver once again.
