DC United vs. New York Red Bulls | 2018 MLS Match Preview

D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
Audi Field — Washington D.C.
Sept. 16 — 1 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN, TSN2

Having already clinched another Atlantic Cup title, the New York Red Bulls seek a clean sweep of the season series against D.C. United when the longtime rivals meet for the final time this regular season at Audi Field Sunday afternoon.

This is the third meeting this season, with the Red Bulls claiming matching 1-0 wins — first at Audi Field on July 25 and again a month later at Red Bull Arena.

New York has lost just one game against D.C. United since the start of 2015 season (8W-4D). United’s lone win in that time did come at home.

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D.C. United

D.C. United (9-11-7) rallied to defeat Minnesota United, 2-1, Wednesday night at Audi Field to move within two points of the playoff line in the Eastern Conference.

After Angelo Rodriguez put the Loons in front two minutes into the second half, Ulises Seguraand Darren Mattocks struck four minutes apart as United have now claimed seven points from their last three games.

“It just seemed like we were lethargic. I don’t think it was a mentality issue, I just think there’s been a lot of games on these guys,” Ben Olsen said. “I give them a lot of credit on a day where, to a man, we’re a little bit off the pace and not as sharp as we want to be and still missing some guys, to still be able to get three points is something that is very impressive and I’m proud of the group for that.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Chris Durkin, M - Paul Arriola, M - Russell Canouse
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Taylor Kemp (labrum surgery), D - Nick DeLeon (knee injury), GK - David Ousted (elbow surgery), D - Chris Odoi-Atsem (fatigue); QUESTIONABLE: M - Yamil Asad (ankle injury); PROBABLE: F - Dane Kelly (ankle injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Bill Hamid — Oniel Fisher, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora — Russell Canouse, Chris Durkin — Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Ulises Segura — Wayne Rooney

• Notes: Both Wayne Rooney (three goals, five assists) and Luciano Acosta (six goals, two assists) have eight goals+assists since Aug. 1. Only one player has more in that time. … D.C. United is now 7W-2L-1D at home this season. They had six home wins in league play in 2017.

New York Red Bulls

New York (17-7-4) return to action following a needed break that came on the heels of a grueling stretch of five games in 15 days.

It wasn’t all rest and relaxation, though, with several players getting international call-ups, including Tyler Adams, Tim Parker and Aaron Long to the USMNT. Adams scored the lone goal — his first for the US — in a 1-0 win over Mexico in Nashville Wednesday.

“I think the fact that we have eight guys with their national teams that in itself helps because they come back with confidence, sharpness, they miss us a little bit when they come back, they show why they went there, I think that’s a good thing,” Chris Armas said. “The guys here, we’ve had some really good days of training so we’ve had a good balance of training and resting and recovering and taking advantage of a rare break in this final stretch.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: F - Bradley Wright-Phillips
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Florian Valot (torn left ACL), D - Kyle Duncan (torn right ACL), M - Vincent Bezecourt (right MCL surgery), D - Tommy Redding (shoulder surgery), M - Ben Mines (broken left clavicle surgery)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Luis Robles — Michael Murillo, Aaron Long, Tim Parker, Kemar Lawrence — Tyler Adams, Sean Davis — Marc Rzatkowski, Kaku, Danny Royer — Bradley Wright-Phillips

• Notes: The Red Bulls are looking to avoid losing back-to-back league games for the first time since a three-game losing streak in May 2017 (50 regular season games played since). … Luis Robles has kept eight clean sheets in league play against D.C. United, tied for the third most any keeper has had against one opponent since the start of 2010.

All-Time Series

• Overall: D.C. Untied 34 wins, 132 goals … New York Red Bulls 29 wins, 112 goals … 13 draws
• At D.C.: D.C. United 21 wins, 77 goals … New York Red Bulls 12 wins, 58 goals … 6 draws
• Last meeting at D.C.: D.C. United 0, New York Red Bulls 1 (July 25, 2018)

Officials

Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Logan Brown
4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City | 2018 MLS Match Preview

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
Avaya Stadium — San Jose
Sept. 15 — 10:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Sporting Kansas City can move into first place in the Western Conference when they take on a San Jose Earthquakes side that has won just once since May.

Sporting rebounded from a loss to Seattle Sounders FC by beating Orlando City SC, 1-0, last Saturday, while the Quakes lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps for the second time in a week.

This is the second meeting this season with Sporting winning 3-2 at Children’s Mercy Park with Graham Zusi and Felipe Gutierrez opening up a 3-1 lead after Vako cancelled out Ilie Sanchez’searly goal. Chris Wondolowski struck in stoppage time for the visitors.

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San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose (4-15-8) couldn’t build off a second win of the season over FC Dallas, falling to the Whitecaps, 2-1, at BC Place on Sept. 1.

Vako scored the lone goal in stoppage time, but it came after Alphonso Davies and Nicolas Mezquida scored back-to-back goals for the Caps.

“I think mentally and physically we all needed a few days off and we got that so coming back in training on Monday we were all sharp and looking forward to this game Saturday,” Jimmy Ockford said. “We can expect a good soccer team, working the ball around really well, they’ve got good players all around. It’s going to be a tough one.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Kevin Partida (right ACL reconstruction surgery and partial meniscectomy); QUESTIONABLE: D - Harold Cummings (thigh injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-4-2, right to left)
GK: Andrew Tarbell — Nick Lima, Guram Kashia, Florian Jungwirth, Shea Salinas — Magnus Eriksson, Anibal Godoy, Luis Felipe Fernandes, Chris Wondolowski — Danny Hoesen, Vako

Sporting Kansas City

Sporting (14-7-6) moved within a point of first-place FC Dallas by defeating Orlando City SC, 1-0, Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park.

Gutierrez scored the lone goal, his first since the end of March, in the 53rd minute and Tim Melia twice denied former teammate Dom Dwyer to make sure the lead held up.

“We view this as any other match, it’s a big game for us, San Jose is a good team, they have some very strong aspects to their game we have to be really concerned with,” Peter Vermes said. “That’s an important aspect — if you want to get a result, you have to make sure you understand and respect your opponent’s strengths and that’s what we have to do against San Jose.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Jimmy Medranda (knee surgery); F - Kharlton Belmar (knee sprain), M - Cristian Lobato (quad injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tim Melia — Graham Zusi, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic — Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Felipe Gutierrez — Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Yohan Croizet

All-Time Series

• Overall: San Jose Earthquakes 24 wins, 69 goals … Sporting Kansas City 25 wins, 68 goals … 8 draws
• At San Jose: Earthquakes 16 wins, 38 goals … Sporting KC 5 wins, 21 goals … 7 draws
• Last meeting at San Jose: San Jose Earthquakes 0, Sporting Kansas City 0 (June 17, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Dave Gantar
Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Corey Parker
4th Official: Ismail Elfath
VAR: Alex Chilowicz

LAFC vs. New England Revolution | 2018 MLS Match Preview

LAFC vs. New England Revolution
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
Banc of California Stadium — Los Angeles
Sept. 15 — 10:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

LAFC are seeking a fourth win in the last five games without defeat and an eighth home victory when they host a New England Revolution side that is seeking a second consecutive road victory.

LAFC are back from the international break after a 4-2 win at Toronto FC, while the Revs handed New York City FC their first home loss of the season, winning 1-0 at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday.

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Los Angeles Football Club

LAFC (13-7-7) kept pace with FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City by beating Toronto FC, 4-2, at BMO Field on Sept. 1.

Carlos Vela scored the lone goal of the first half and Diego Rossi and Lee Nguyen struck two minutes apart early in the second half to extend the lead to 3-0. Jozy Altidore struck for a late brace to pull TFC to within a goal, but Vela’s second goal of the match put the game away.

“Great win, maybe not our best night of football, but very good mentality, too advantage of some opportunities, I thought we adjusted when they threw more numbers late,” Bob Bradley said. “I would have liked to have done it with a clean sheet, but still proud of the guys.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Eduard Atuesta, D - Walker Zimmerman
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: GK - Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), M - Mark-Anthony Kaye (fractured ankle), F - Adama Diomande (left adductor strain), D - Danilo Silva (right hamstring irritation)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tyler Miller — Steven Beitashour, Dejan Jakovic, Walker Zimmerman, Jordan Harvey — Andre Horta, Eduard Atuesta, Lee Nguyen — Carlos Vela, Marco Urena, Diego Rossi

New England Revolution

An unbeaten streak was snapped at nine games when New England (8-10-9) stunned NYCFC, 1-0, at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday.

After hitting the post in the first half, Brian Wright scored the game’s lone goal in the 70th minute, tapping in the rebound of Cristian Penilla’s saved shot. It was the Revs' second road win of the season.

“It’s fantastic that Brian scored, it’s great that Isaac [Angking] got on the field, but would be even better if we beat LAFC on Saturday,” Brad Friedel said. “That game’s in the past, we’ll learn from what we didn’t do right, we’ll also take on board what we did do right and we’ll move on to the next one, but the next game’s always the most important.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Kelyn Rowe, D - Antonio Delamea
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Chris Tierney (torn right ACL)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Brad Knighton — Andrew Farrell, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Mancienne, Brandon Bye — Kelyn Rowe, Wilfried Zahibo, Scott Caldwell — Diego Fagundez, Brian Wright, Cristian Penilla

All-Time Series

• This is the first all-time meeting between Los Angeles Football Club and the New England Revolution

Officials

Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Apolinar Mariscal
4th Official: Kevin Stott
VAR: Victor Rivas

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
BC Place — Vancouver
Sept. 15 — 10 pm ET
WATCH: TSN2, ESPN+

Streaking Cascadia Cup rivals square off at BC Place Saturday when the Vancouver Whitecaps FC put a six-game unbeaten streak on the line against a Seattle Sounders squad that has won eight straight in 11 unbeaten in a match with major playoff implications.

The Whitecaps are coming off a second straight win, beating the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-1, on Sept. 1, while the Sounders knocked off Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, that day.

This is the second meeting this season with the Sounders winning 2-0 at CenturyLink Field on July 21 thanks to Nico Lodeiro's first-half brace.

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Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver (11-9-7) won for the third time in six games without defeat after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes for a second consecutive match.

Alphonso Davies and Nicolas Mezquida scored a goal in each half before Vako pulled the Quakes back a goal in second-half stoppage time.

“We’re both in the same boat,” Carl Robinson said. “We’re both on good runs. Obviously they’ve strung [together] eight consecutive wins. I’ve watched all their games and I think they’ve deserved most of them. I think they’ve been lucky in one or two of them, but so have we.

“It’s a new game of football. There’ll be freshness in the game, as with all derbies. Whenever you play Seattle or Portland there’ll be energy, mistakes, wrong decisions, and it’ll be down to the players as to who will win the game.”

• Suspended: M - Yordy Reyna
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Jose Aja (left quad injury), M - Jordon Mutch (right foot injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Aaron Maund, Brett Levis — Aly Ghazal, Felipe — Cristian Techera, Russell Teibert, Alphonso Davies — Kei Kamara

Seattle Sounders FC

Sitting just above the playoff line, Seattle (12-9-5) defeated Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, at CenturyLink Field on Sept. 1.

After falling behind on Diego Rubio’s 2nd-minute goal, Raul Ruidiaz leveled 10 minutes later and following an own goal by Graham Zusi, Lodeiro converted a 56th-minute penalty kick.

“Two teams that are playing at a pretty high level, it should be a very exciting match,” Brian Schmetzer said. “The added bonus, the flavor, the little bit of sparkle, to the match is the Cascadia Cup. I know we can go up there and get a result and that will come back to us. That’s something we’re aware of as well so there’s lots to play for up there.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: D - Jordy Delem
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: F - Jordan Morris (torn ACL), F - Felix Chenkam (herniated disc); QUESTIONABLE: M - Victor Rodriguez (right hamstring strain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Frei — Kelvin Leerdam, Kim Kee-hee, Chad Marshall, Brad Smith — Gustav Svensson, Osvaldo Alonso — Cristian Roldan, Nico Lodeiro, Harry Shipp — Raul Ruidiaz

All-Time Series

• Overall: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 7 wins, 26 goals … Seattle Sounders FC 9 wins, 31 goals … 5 draws
• At Vancouver: Whitecaps FC 3 wins, 12 goals … Sounders FC 4 wins, 16 goals … 4 draws
• Last meeting at Vancouver: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1, Seattle Sounders FC 1 (Aug. 23, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Eric Weisbrod, Jeremy Kieso
4th Official: Drew Fischer
VAR: Geoff Gamble

Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
Rio Tinto Stadium — Sandy
Sept. 15 — 9:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Real Salt Lake hope to feast on more home cooking to continue a march up the Western Conference standings against a Minnesota United side looking to snap a six-match winless streak.

This is the second meeting this season with the Loons claiming a 3-2 victory at TCF Bank Stadium on July 14. Ibson, Darwin Quintero and Miguel Ibarra scored in a 17-minute span to open up a 3-0 lead before RSL roared back on a Joao Plata brace in the final 13 minutes.

Real Salt Lake and Minnesota have met just three times prior in league play, with the home team winning each of the three previous matches.

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Real Salt Lake

After scoring 14 goals in three consecutive wins, Real Salt Lake (13-10-5) are hoping the international break didn’t cool them off.

RSL became the first team in MLS history to score six goals in back-to-back games, the last a 6-2 victory over the LA Galaxy with Damir Kreilach scoring a hat trick and Albert Rusnak adding a brace.

“I think it’s confidence now, not overconfidence,” Mike Petke said. “We’re very grounded right now, we understand who we are, we understand our capabilities, practice over the last month has been so much more intense and so much more specific from the players, getting on each other and making sure we’re connecting passes and making the right movements. I think we’ve grown up a heck of a lot from last year to this year.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: D - Justen Glad, D - Brooks Lennon, D - Marcelo Silva
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Tony Beltran (right knee surgery), M - Jordan Allen (knee surgery), GK - Alex Horwath (Achilles surgery), M - Luke Mulholland (back injury), D - David Horst (Achilles surgery), F - Ricky Lopez-Espin (knee surgery), GK - Connor Sparrow (knee injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Marcelo Silva (ankle injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Nick Rimando — Brooks Lennon, Nick Besler, Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera — Joao Plata, Kyle Beckerman, Sunny — Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak, Damir Kreilach

• Notes: Kreilach has scored one-third of Real Salt Lake’s goals over their last two games (four of their 12). He had six goals in his first 25 league appearances. … Real Salt Lake have won three straight MLS matches, outscoring opponents 14-3 in that time – becoming the first team in league history to score 6+ goals in consecutive MLS games in the process. The club has not won four consecutive league games since 2013.

Minnesota United

Not rewarded for being the better side in the first half, Minnesota (9-16-2) took the lead early in the second half only to concede twice in quick succession to fall to D.C. United, 2-1, Wednesday night at Audi Field.

Angelo Rodriguez opened the scoring two minutes into the second half with his first MLS goal, but Ulises Segura and Darren Mattocks struck four minutes apart as the Loons suffered a fifth loss in the last six games.

“I thought our game plan was good and I thought we set up well," Adrian Heath said. "The disappointment was the goals were soft, from our point of view. We concede too many of them. We are not nasty enough at times. We probably did not make the most of the opportunities we had on the counter attack as well. We had some really good opportunities tonight. Overall I am disappointed we did not take something from the game."

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Miguel Ibarra
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL); QUESTIONABLE: D - Eric Miller (undisclosed injury)

Projected Starting XI
(3-4-1-2, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo — Miguel Ibarra, Rasmus Schuller, Collen Warner, Jerome Thiesson — Ibson — Angelo Rodriguez, Darwin Quintero

• Notes: Bobby Shuttleworth now has eight games this season with 5+ saves, one short of the career high he set last season. … Minnesota have lost five of their last six games (1D), getting outscored 14-6 in that time. Another loss would tie the club’s MLS record for the longest losing streak.

All-Time Series

• Overall: Real Salt Lake 1 win, 5 goals … Minnesota United 2 win, 7 goals … 0 draws
• At Salt Lake: Real Salt Lake 1 win, 1 goal … Minnesota United 0 wins, 0 goals … 0 draws
• Last meeting at Salt Lake: Real Salt Lake 1, Minnesota United FC 0 (June 17, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Felisha Mariscal
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Tim Ford

Con ventaja corta, Nacional se impuso ante Junior en el Atanasio

Un gol de Daniel Bocanegra bastó para que Nacional se fuera adelante en la serie contra Junior. La vuelta será en Barranquilla el próximo miércoles.

ATLÉTICO NACIONAL

1 0

JUNIOR

ATLÉTICO NACIONAL: CHRISTIAN VARGAS; DANIEL BOCANEGRA, FELIPE AGUILAR, ALEXIS HENRÍQUEZ (CHRISTIAN MAFLA, MIN. 45), DIEGO BRAGHIERI; JORMAN CAMPUZANO (CARLOS CUESTA, MIN. 76), GONZALO CASTELLANI, ALDO LEAO RAMÍREZ; STEVEN LUCUMÍ, DAYRO MORENO, OMAR DUARTE (CARLOS RIVAS, MIN. 45).

JUNIOR: LUIS CHUNGA; MARLON PIEDRAHITA, DEIVY BALANTA, WILLER DITTA, GERMÁN GUTIÉRREZ; ENRIQUE SERGE (DANIEL MORENO, MIN. 78), LEONARDO PICO, SEBASTIÁN HERNÁNDEZ, FABIÁN SAMBUEZA (JARLAN BARRERA, MIN. 70), KEVIN ALADESANMI (LUIS DÍAZ, MIN. 45), YONY GONZÁLEZ.

MARCADOR: 1-0, DANIEL BOCANEGRA, MIN. 53.

ÁRBITRO: GUSTAVO MURILLO. AMONESTÓ A DEIVY BALANTA (MIN. 14), JORMAN CAMPUZANO (MIN. 34), FERNANDO MONETTI (MIN. 89), GONZALO CASTELLANI (MIN. 90). EXPULSÓ A SEBASTIÁN HERNÁNDEZ (MIN. 90+3).

INCIDENCIAS: PARTIDO DE IDA POR LOS CUARTOS DE FINAL DE LA COPA ÁGUILA 2018. DISPUTADO EN EL ESTADIO ATANASIO GIRARDOT DE MEDELLÍN. 8,842 ESPECTADORES.

Noche fría y de poco público en el Atanasio, a pesar de venir ganando en la Liga, Atlético Nacional no tuvo el acompañamiento de otros partidos definitivos. Estos cuartos de final de la Copa disfrazados de fecha 5 comenzó con un juego ofensivo y ordenado del equipo que de a poco va mostrando su ascenso, pero que todavía no es del gusto del aficionado que lo hace sentir por su ausencia. 

Al minuto 7, Alexis Henríquez sufrió un golpe con el arquero José Luis Chunga que terminó llevando la peor parte el samario, el cual no aguantó sino un tiempo en cancha. El local era dueño de la pelota y se lo hacía notar a un Junior que trataba de sacarse la presión jugando por el sector derecho con Sebastián Hernández, Marlon Piedrahíta y Fabián Sambueza. La visita tuvo opciones pero no inquietaron a Christian Vargas que nuevamente sacó el cero en su arco. 

Dayro Moreno y Steven Lucumí fueron lo más destacado en la primera mitad para un local que lucía un juego ofensivo pero sin ser certero. Los centros desde el costado no tenían destinatario y la zaga tiburona no tenía mayores dificultades. 

En la etapa complementaria, Herrera sacó a Henríquez y a Duarte quien fue anulado por el rival y no logró esa movilidad en el frente de ataque de otros partidos. Dándole paso a Carlos Rivas quien pasó a la banda derecha en lugar de Lucumí que estaba en el sector izquierdo. En la otra variante, Christian Mafla entró como lateral, dejando a Diego Braghieri como central zurdo. 

La visita movió sus fichas también, entró Jarlan Barrera para darle más volumen de juego con Hernández, luego Luis Díaz entró a reforzar el ataque. 

El partido se tornaba equilibrado con llegadas en las ambas áreas, hasta que en el minuto 8, una falta contra Dayro Moreno derivo en un tiro libre que logró capitalizar Daniel Bocanegra en un gran cobro desde el sector izquierdo. El tolimense rompió una racha de 127 partidos sin anotar un gol por esa vía, todo un antirrecord. 

Tras el gol, los locales fueron más ofensivos y generaron varias llegadas que entre el arquero y la mala puntería evitaron que se ampliara el marcador. Al minuto 30 de la etapa complementaria un centro de Díaz le pegó entre el hombro y el pecho al recién ingresado Carlos Cuesta, todo el banco visitante lo protestó como penal, pero el árbitro Gustavo Murillo no sancionó. 

Al final, un par de ocasiones de Dayro Moreno pudieron ser el 2 y hasta el 3-0 pero la falta de cabeza fría privó al nacido en Chicoral celebrar. La última jugada del partido fue un tiro libre que le hace Sebastián Hernández a Dayro Moreno que recibe la tarjeta roja directa. Cobró Bocanegra pero salió desviado. 

Resultado corto para un Nacional que fue más en el trámite y oportunidad para un Junior que con todas sus fichas esperará en el Metropolitano darle vuelta al marcador. 

Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29
BBVA Compass Stadium — Houston
Sept. 15 — 8:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

The Portland Timbers can move up to third place in the Western Conference with a win over a Houston Dynamo side that is winless in their last 10 games.

The Timbers are coming off a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, extending an unbeaten streak to three, while the Dynamo dropped a 4-2 decision to FC Dallas in the Texas Derby on Sept. 1, their seventh loss in their last eight games.

This is the second meeting this season with the Timbers winning 2-1 at Providence Park on July 28. After Romell Quioto canceled out Sebastian Blanco’s 7th-minute goal, Fanendo Adi scored what proved to be his last goal in a Portland uniform with an 80th-minute winner.

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Houston Dynamo

After consecutive draws at BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston (7-13-7) fell to FC Dallas, 4-2, at Toyota Stadium on Sept. 1.

Santiago Mosquera struck for a brace in a three-minute span after Michael Barrios opened the scoring in the 10th minute to give the hosts a 3-0 lead. Mauro Manotas pulled the Dynamo back a goal in the 53rd minute before Reto Ziegler and Alberth Elis exchanged penalty kick conversions.

“We’re going to continue working, we’re going to continue fighting because we cannot be forgetting how to defend, how to work together,” Wilmer Cabrera said. “We need to come back and we have to give us the option to show ourselves. Now it’s about pride, to prove ourselves that we can come back, we can play and we can avoid making so many mistakes.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Boniek Garcia, M - Darwin Ceren, M - Adam Lundqvist
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury), F - Mac Steeves (left hip injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Joe Willis — Andrew Wenger, Philippe Senderos, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley — Boniek Garcia, Darwin Ceren— Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez, Romell Quioto — Mauro Manotas

Portland Timbers

After four straight losses, Portland (12-7-8) are unbeaten in three consecutive games after defeating the Rapids, 2-0, Saturday at Providence Park.

Blanco set up goals by Jeremy Ebobisse just before the halftime break and Diego Valeri midway through the second half. Now, the Timbers open up against Houston for the opener of three games in eight days.

“Definitely this stretch is even more important because these points are going to get you the possibility to accomplish the goals to be in the playoffs,” Giovanni Savarese said. “Every game is crucial, every point is important and we’re looking at it that way.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Sebastian Blanco
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Roy Miller (right thigh injury), GK - Jake Gleeson (bilateral tibial stress fracture), GK - Jeff Attinella (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-2-1, right to left)
GK: Steve Clark — Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafana — Diego Chara, Lawrence Olum, Andy Polo — Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco — Jeremy Ebobisse

All-Time Series

• Overall: Houston Dynamo 4 wins, 20 goals … Portland Timbers 5 wins, 21 goals … 4 draws
• At Houston: Dynamo 3 wins, 11 goals … Timbers 0 wins, 6 goals … 3 draws
• Last meeting at Houston: Houston Dynamo 2, Portland Timbers 2 (July 29, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Greeson
4th Official: Marcos Deoliveira
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic