The Warm Up: #PORvNE
- Updated: June 5, 2015
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
Snapping a five-game winless run is at the top of the travel agenda for the Revolution, who’ll head to the Pacific Northwest to face the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 10:30pm ET.
Since beating the Red Bulls 2-1 back on May 2, the Revolution have gone 0-1-4. Making matters more frustrating, the locals have scored first in each contest, only to watch each lead wither away.
While the guests will attempt to put their disappointing run behind them, the hosts would like nothing more than to continue the form that’s allowed them to win their last two.
Below is a breakdown of each team and the match.
THE TEAMS
Portland Timbers (5-5-4, 19 points), 6th in the Western Conference
New England Revolution (5-3-6, 21 points), 2nd in the Eastern Conference
WHAT’S AT STAKE
For the short-handed Revolution, who’ll be without Jermaine Jones (left groin strain) and Juan Agudelo (International duty), it’s all about getting back in the win column. Coach Jay Heaps said that the key to reversing their fortunes all boils down to their reactions when they score. Should the Revolution find the back of the net first on Saturday, they’ll need to stay sharp to stave off another blown lead.
For the Timbers, it’s about extending the momentum seized from wins against Colorado and DC. The return Will Johnson and the dangerous form Max Urruti has found himself in should aid the cause, especially at home. Despite enjoying one of the best home field advantages in the league, the Timbers have only won two of their six gamest at Providence Park this year. Clearly, that’ll have to change if they have any hopes of staying relevant in a competitive Western Conference.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Revolution: With Jones and Agudelo out, Scott Caldwell and, possibly, Diego Fagundez will be called upon to shoulder larger loads. The quietly-consistent Caldwell has shown that he’s got plenty of bite on his game, as evidenced his team-leading four assists. Fagundez opened his account on a brilliant free kick last week, and there’s plenty of belief in the locker room that the 20-year-old could be on the verge of more success.
Timbers: Johnson was recently called up for Canadian National Team action, but before he joins the squad, he’ll get the opportunity to use Saturday’s match as a dry run. Johnson’s been sidelined for much of the seaosn, and there’s nothing more he’d like to do than to help the Timbers win their third straight, at Providence Park, no less. Max Urruti is someone the Revolution back four must aware of, as the sneaky striker’s been known to embarrass a defender or two without remorse.
NOTABLES
-The last time these teams met, they settled for a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium back on Aug. 16, 2014. Charlie Davies gave the Revolution a first half lead before Liam Ridgewell equalized in the 65th minute.
-The Revolution last traveled to Providence Park back in 2013, when they secured a 0-0 draw. Many Revolution fans will remember that as the Bilal Duckett Match after the right back was recalled from Rochester to fill in for Andrew Farrell. Despite aiding the shutout effort, it would be Duckett’s only league appearance for the Revolution, who sent him back to Rochester shortly after.
-Portland coach Caleb Porter oversaw the collegiate careers of Caldwell and Teal Bunbury at Akron. Caldwell’s game-winner during the 2010 NCAA College Cup final gave Porter his sole championship as a head coach.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday’s match, he Revolution will return to Gillette Stadium to face the Chicago Fire at 7:30pm on Jun. 13. The match was originally scheduled for Apr. 15, but was moved due to the U.S.-Mexico international friendly scheduled that same night.
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