PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC

Providence Park | Portland, Oregon

4.14.18 | MLS Week #7 | MLS Game #6

9:30 p.m. CT (FOX Sports North, MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2018 Records:

MIN: 2-3-0; 1-2-0 on the road

POR: 0-3-2; 0-0-0 at home

Following a much-needed bye week after a tough loss to Atlanta, MNUFC regroups to head to the Pacific Northwest for a matchup against Portland Timbers. This will be the home opener for the Timbers, who have been away as construction proceeds on a planned expansion of Providence Park. The road has not been kind: Portland is winless on the season and they’ll be relying on their home support to turn their fortunes around. For the Loons, this could be the first chance for recent acquisition Darwin Quintero to take the pitch and help re-energize an offense that was stymied against Atlanta when they parked the bus. The match kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT with pre-match coverage beginning at 9:00 p.m. on FOX Sports North and MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN.

SCHEDULE

“Days off?” said Head Coach Adrian Heath incredulously when asked about the bye week. “I don’t know what they are. I’m sorry. A lot of work over the weekend. Catching up on a lot of stuff. Looking at players, looking at games. I’ve enjoyed being at home for two or three days, but in terms of rest, not so much.”

Whether it’s for this match or just in the next few, the gaffer will have a lot of work to do integrating some new players into the side who could considerably change the complexion of the starting XI. Brazilian midfielder Maximiano has been training with the team for a few weeks now as he works his way back to full health and could provide an immediate physical and defensive boost in front of the back four when he’s ready. The Loons also announced the acquisition of Peruvian defender and midfielder Alexi Gomez on loan, who will bring flexibility along the left side of the pitch.

And then, of course, there’s Darwin Quintero. Quintero is expected to slot into Kevin Molino’s traditional position in the middle of the pitch, although it’s likely he will play a bit higher as more of a false nine, given his abilities both as a playmaker and a scorer. Forward Christian Ramirez will be looking to form a productive partnership with Quintero and based on training so far, he’s bullish on their prospects.

“[Darwin]’s a real humble guy,” said Ramirez, who took full advantage of the bye week by both getting some rest for his injured ankle and welcoming his and his wife’s first child to the world. “He’s a team first guy. And he brings a dynamic to the field that I don’t think we’ve had. Sort of like Kevin [Molino] where he could change a game in an instant. It’ll be nice to have him out on the field. The dynamic that he brings is spontaneous. In any moment, he can pick out a ball, pick a pass out or put it in the top corner. It’s something that we’ve been missing. It’s a missing link sort of thing in the attack, where he is going to draw so much attention, and it’ll open things up for everyone. He works so well in behind that midfield line, in between that defensive line, that center backs and defenders have to be aware of it. If they stay tight on the forward or the outside mid, he’s going to start picking up balls there, and drive at the defense. And that’s the last thing as a defense that you want, is Darwin [Quintero] driving at you with the ball.”

The Loons will need to open up the field to contend with the Timbers. Despite their early struggles, they’re still very much the team that topped the Western Conference table last season, and Heath is under no illusions about how difficult it will be to take three points off them at a stadium as renowned as Providence Park.

“It’s probably one of the most intimidating [in MLS],” said Heath. “Certainly when they get a head of steam up, and they get the crowd going. And [the crowd does] have an Influence on the team when things aren’t going particularly well for them. They do keep it going, and they do keep them in the game. But it’s their home opener, and they’ll know that obviously they’ve got to start to pick a few points up. It’s going to be difficult. But when you look at their attacking players, [Sebastián] Blanco, [Diego] Valeri, [Fanendo] Adi. It doesn’t matter where you go, they’ve got quality throughout the team. So, as it proved last year, it was a difficult place for us to go, and I don’t really expect anything different. But we’re a different team. We’re a different team going there this year than we were last year.”

INJURY REPORT

Minnesota United

OUT:

D – Tyrone Mears (R lower leg)

M – Sam Cronin (head)

M – Kevin Molino (torn left ACL – out for season)

Portland Timbers

OUT:

D – Roy Miller (left Achilles tendon injury)

QUESTIONABLE:

D – Alvas Powell (right thigh injury)

D – Liam Ridgewell (left lower leg injury)

D – Vytas (right thigh injury)

DISCIPLINARY REPORT

-none-

FIRST TOUCHES