Portland Timbers vs. D.C. United: Preview, time and how to watch
Tonight, D.C. United travel to take on the Portland Timbers at one of the league’s most revered away grounds, Providence Park.
D.C. and Portland both come into the match off impressive home openers, winning 3-1 and 4-1 respectively. United will be looking to take the action to an already bustling atmosphere with the new high pressing approach they showed against New England, while the Timbers look to add some sort of punctuation to their impressive statement made against Colorado.
While some have called out a lack of conviction in D.C.’s win against a Revs team that spent most of the game a man down, they did well to see out a deceivingly difficult match and actually looked their best in the opening spell with even numbers.
D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne voiced just how pleased he was with how the team began the last match, ahead of what will be his first game physically on the touchline for D.C.
“There are many things that we saw that we liked, particularly in the first 25 minutes prior to the red card, that we need to replicate against any opponent,” said Lesesne. “When you’re playing at Portland especially, in that atmosphere it’s really critical to have a good start to the match,” Lesesne also voiced.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
While there were many solid performers in their opener, United’s main man proved again to be Christian Benteke. His hat trick makes him the league’s top scorer after the first matchweek ahead of only one other player with two or more goals, that player being highlighted below.
Watch out for: Antony
Yet another weekend with the potential for a Brazilian winger named Antony to cause problems for a United team. Joining the Timbers in August from Portuguese side Arouca, Antony appeared sporadically across nine league matches for the Timbers last season. While one goal from those nine appearances may seem lackluster, his minutes played across those nine matches amounted to roughly three full games. In the opening matchday, he already doubled his league tally from last year in an impressive performance from the left flank, scoring two goals and putting in the cross that led to the own goal which put Portland 4-0 ahead. Only turning 22 in September, the young Brazilian looks set for a big season.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Steven Birnbaum (left knee), Russell Canouse (right ankle), Tyler Miller (right shoulder)
Questionable: Jacob Murrell (right thigh), Garrison Tubbs (right thigh)
Portland Timbers Availability:
Out: Claudio Bravo (left knee), Marvin Loria (left knee), Felipe Mora (right foot)
Questionable: Evander (left foot)
Location: Providence Park, Portland, OR
Kickoff Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Referee: Trevor Wiseman
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
I am hyped, and that fills me with dread…
Christian Benteke scratched with a pregame injury. Thanks a lot.
I just meant our overall play on the road! I didn’t know!!! 😭
Well unfortunately OGDC started the MLR season today with an 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold. I will put in my full match report in a comment on one of the Freedom Kick posts this coming week. But in summary OGDC won the first half and had the lead at half 6-0. Then we got a yellow card right before the 2nd half hydration break (60′) and it all went down hill from there when we were up 6-3.
Welp, same starting 11
Three of our highest paid players not injured and not starting (Dajome, Rodriguez, and Jeahze). Still a lot of work to be done with the squad.
I imagine they will all be gone by next year
So, good news about Dajome!
When you wish upon a claw…
I am concerned that Santos is still playing, instead of testing out Antley from the start. Seems silly to me to start him, but the coaching staff must have their reasons.
Late scratch to Christian Benteke, Dajome starts….
Gulp
Concern….
Penned in a bit early
I didn’t realize how narrow Portland’s field was (or at least feels).
He’s not the best or anything, but I just really enjoy having Lloyd Sam as a commentator.
Surprise, surprise, a counter down the right wing for Portland… with Santos getting skinned
1-0 Portland
107 minutes into the season and I’ve already seen enough of Santos at LB. Don’t care if Antley isn’t an attacking fullback, Santos is a cone.
Makes me realize that whatever’s going on with Jeahze must be really serious.
The collection of facts hints at something under the surface, for sure
That was Santos just whiffing his challenge which led to the goal, yes?
Si.
(I’m watching on my phone. My laptop still doesn’t realize I’ve subscribed.)
Whatever Klich’s role is within this lineup, he’s gotta start doing it. We’re missing Benteke’s leadership, time to step up
He’s also the player on the pitch with the most career minutes for United, currently. Double the leadership responsibilities.
Really good chance by Stroud and Dajome, but Crepeau makes a big save.
In case you were wondering what’s the difference is between Benteke and Dajome, exhibit A- that header
Wonder how Murrell would do with that? And if he wasn’t coming off an injury last week, might he have gotten the emergency start today?
(Probably not, but nice to dream.)
Jinx
At this point, I’m wondering what Murrell’s got, and whether it will be relevant by the time he sees the field
Lesesne with a little bit of hustle to get the ball back for a DC throw in. Far from vintage Olsen in that regard, but nice to see.
Santos begging for offside there. Dude, this is what pro athletes can run like. Retire.
Stroud dealing with something- we really need him to be OK
Unfortunately, Portland are well set up to counter after our plays break down, and we’re letting them break down a lot
Both keepers involved in some (separate) collisions.
If we’re going to swarm the box like this, we need to learn how to convert openings.
Feels like if Benteke was able to go, we’d have had a goal in that half. Really highlights how much this team is built around him. I’d still love to see McKey, Bartlett, and Peltola getting more involved as targets on corner kicks.
Perhaps, but I’m a bit flummoxed by the times we’ve found a player with a few yards of space in the crowded box to make a pass into someone. You gotta find your own teammate in that situation
Fine first half. From what I’m seeing, Portland is only relying on counters for their attacking opportunities. Despite being without Benteke, DC has generated some good chances. You can tell they are missing someone to finish these chances, though.
Encouraged from what I’m seeing from this team. Peltola is cleaning up a lot of the second balls. I’m still concerned with how little Pirani is contributing. Doesn’t look comfortable out there yet.
His strength is short passing, but my theory is no one views him as an individual threat, so his passing options get the pressure
That’s Portland’s game. Don’t read too much into it. They kill you with speed.
Santos is most to blame on the goal, but Bartlett also didn’t stay super tight to Asprilla.
And McVey didn’t close down the crosser until very late. Learning moment for the entire defense, really.
I just want Lesesne to learn that Santos is not a left back any more
Preach!
TKD with a great driving influence, unlucky on a rebound
Dajome hits the spot and KDP can’t get over the ball to tuck home the rebound. Some nice attacking buildup, but finishing remains wanting.
Ted KDP had the whole goal in front of him. Made that way too hard, trying to shoot it in. All he had to do was get his body in front of it. Either try to trap it or just let it bounce off him into the net.
Am I the only one who wants to see Klich partner Peltola a bit more this game?
Leave it to Phil Neville to have a team wasting time and wrestling opponents like this. Poor DC just trying to play soccer.
Dajome isn’t giving us enough centrally. However many minutes Murrell can give us is the number he should play this second half
Oof.
Welp, that’s likely game
OH well. Crap defending.
Maybe offside in the build-up?
Shouldn’t have been a free kick to begin with and of course Portland score. This ref has let the game get away this second half
Case in point. Klich gets a yellow for what exactly? Pointing out that Crepeu is still wasting time?
I really don’t care about the score now, if we have prospects on the bench Lesesne wants to do something with this season, get ‘em in
Fletcher and Hopkins on
McVey looks onside there. PK
Smooth PK from Klich
I was kind of wondering who would take it, and at first I thought it was Peltola, because of Klich’s dye job. Can’t beat Klich for veteran savvy and cool-headedness.
Sad to say, you can easily tell them apart from Peltola’s “I would be a gleaming beacon if I was at the beach before I burn” complexion
Klich gets one back with a penalty.
2-1. Game on again.
I need Santos to not be on the field, tho
Horrible TKD finish
Teddy KDP’s dribbling > Teddy KDP’s finishing
Think he’s got to learn to get out of his feet more cleanly when it’s time to shoot
Someone learn to finish.
There we go!
Fletcher has to score there….
Probably would have been called back by VAR for offside on Ted, but damn
He did it!!
That reminds me a lot of the goal Tottenham scored against Crystal Palace to start their comeback early today.
Great cross by Herrera, ans smart ball by Hopkins to set it up.
At least he does when it counts!
A morbid part of me wonders what Pirani does there
I wonder if he could play at left back?
Credit where it’s due, I thought Santos’s second half was pretty decent.
Come on, let’s make Phil Neville Phil Neville
HELL YES FLETCHER!!! Portland gets what they deserve for trying the dark arts so early!!! 2-2!!!!
I feel like there’s a decent chance our xG hits 5 again.
Ended at 3.45 I think.
Our finishing was poor. Crepeau was great.
Why are there 7 minutes of stoppage time?
It’s just what is done now.
We get a draw. Timbers fans, thanks for booing your team.
Great result. Great fight. Portland is a dirty team. Glad DC could get a result. An embarrassing one for Portland, at that.
I’m sorry but you cannot blow the final whistle when one team commits a foul. Gotta have the free kick, no matter what the clock says.
Really shocked by this outcome. I didn’t think DC United could hold the Timbers to 2 goals, and without Benteke, I really didn’t know where they would find goals. Sure, they got incredibly lucky with the handball that led to penalty kick that made the comeback possible. Still, arguably, they outplayed Portland. Never expected that. Bravo!!
The xG ended up being around 3.5. So, DC has 5 goals through the first two games, but still underperforming their expected stats by 3.5 goals. If Ku-DiPietro and really everyone else can start sharpening up their finishing, there’s a lot of cool things to see this year!
Guys, I like Lesesne. Stroud, Bartlett, and Herrera are all value signings that have made a difference. Peltola might be a DP, but he’s good. He’s gotten a tune out of Hopkins and Fletcher. Even Dajome was doing pretty interesting stuff at the end.
Hopefully Benteke is back soon, but I’m about ready to give him and Mackay full confidence.
Little more concerned about Pirani’s impact. Is there truly a star in there?
Not even close. I mean, he’s young, but so are Teddy KDP and Fletcher — and they are better in every respect….except they’re much cheaper than Pirani, especially with his $1.3M transfer. At least, he’s here as a U22 — small cap hit. He’s got to do a lot more to get them to pick up his option after 2025. I guess that he would still be U22-eligible? Picking up an option isn’t a new contract for U22 purposes, is it? It’s not clear in the MLS rules.
Red card for you sir. You mentioned “clarity” and “MLS rules” in the same sentence–a clear infraction that doesn’t even require video review.
I totally agree with everything you just posted. So far, I love what I’m seeing. The team seems committed and everyone has the same game plan in mind. Doyle had pointed out that almost no-one would say we’re one of the 10 most talented teams in the East and lord knows we’ve got no bench, especially if Rodriguez and Jeahze are PNG.
But everyone seems to be on the same page. The players we acquired seem to fit well and are contributing. The youth is seeing minutes (except for Akinboni) and they’re positive minutes. There is a lot to feel good about with this team right now.
I also cannot believe how inept Portland were with a two goal lead, but then of course my mind remembereth their tactical leader, and I was less confused.