WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: PORTLAND TIMBERS
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Austin FC is back at home tonight (Kickoff ~7:30 PM) to face the Portland Timbers, the first side Austin FC scored on and beat at Q2. There’s been a lot of discussion in the fan base about Austin’s strategy this season and the basic tenet of going for draws on the road while winning at home. As much as we have discussed the road draws, can we discuss the home wins?
Austin FC hasn’t lost at home since the season's opening week and won five in a row at Q2. They’re currently tied with Inter Miami for most points earned at home this season (17). The Verde Wall does everything it can to make the stadium a fortress and this season the team is doing their part as well.
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin FC are 2-1-4 (W-D-L) against Portland all-time, the two wins happening at home in 2021. Austin FC has lost the last two home matches to Portland, which were both delayed due to weather.
Recent Matches:
Portland has won two of their last three matches including a 2-1 win over Kansas City at home on Saturday.
Players to Watch:
Evander
The Brazilian DP leads the team in total goal contributions (13). He works as a “10” or advanced playmaker who uses his freedom of movement to pop up everywhere in the Portland attack. He had the winning goal and an assist on Saturday against Sporting KC.
Kamal Miller
Still the record holder for the shortest time as an Austin FC player, he came to Portland this season in a trade from Inter Miami to try and help their leaking defense. He’s been shuffled between LCB and LB depending on Phil Neville’s preferred formation at the time.
Maxime Crepeau
The former LAFC keeper is struggling with Portland this season. He’s allowed 23 goals on 58 shots and is a big reason why the Timbers have given up the second most goals in the Western Conference and the most set-piece goals in the league (9).
Keys to the Match:
Congestion
Austin is in the middle of a run of six matches in 21 days which happened right when Texas summer heat kicked in. Coach Wolff had this in mind on Saturday, subbing off Sebastian Driussi, Dani Perrerira, and Jadier Obrian late. Expect to see some rotation, especially at home and with a trip to Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake looming Saturday.
Not Alright, Alright, Alright at Right Back
Austin struggled on Saturday against a strong attacking front four of San Jose, much of it targeting Hector Jimenez. With Jon Gallagher still listed as questionable the options at RB are thin until Mikkel Desler arrives in July. This presents a basic coaching question: Do you try and fit players into the XI by position or put your best XI on the field and try to have them figure it out? We saw Austin FC switch to a back three at the end of the San Jose match and using Ethan Finlay or Owen Wolff as an RW would allow Austin more flexibility and get Leo Vaisanen on the field.
Run Dani Run
In the last home match,m we saw Dani Perreira deployed as a more advanced midfielder with great success thanks to his ability to link up with Jadier Obrian on the right. On Saturday Alex Ring played there (as is usually preferred by Coach Wolff) and the lack of chemistry was noticeable as the attack looked disjointed. Many fans have advocated for moving Dani forward to stimulate the attack and against a weak defensive side like Portland who struggles against strong dribblers giving Dani freedom would be a positive change.
See you at Q2!
