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This week the MLS schedule makers have pitted together two teams that in their own ways have been surprising this early in the season. One team has gone undefeated in its first three matches while the other has gone winless. And it’s not how most would've expected things to go.
The MLS Marquee Match-Up for week for sees Caleb Porter and the struggling Portland Timbers travel to Toyota Stadium to take on Oscar Pareja and his new-look FC Dallas squad.
Portland Timbers @ FC Dallas
What makes this match so compelling is the approach of both coaches to keep the ball on the ground, work combinations and find space. Even at this point in the season, both have proven themselves to be amongst the quickest teams in the league but they also go about attacking teams from different areas.
The Dallas combination of Fabian Castillo, Mauro Diaz and Michel has made an instant impact that has led to the club’s top billing within the Western Conference. Under Pareja the three have combined for 4 goals and 2 assists and, using a similar system that was successful last season in Colorado, they've already put themselves into consideration as playoff candidates (contrary to the last place finish I predicted in The Gaffer and Hooligan Western Conference preview). The play of Castillo has been particularly essential. While under previous coach Schellas Hyndman the Colombian struggled for consistency, initial signs under the guidance of his countryman have seen him begin to live up to his potential.
In the case of the Timbers, it's been puzzling to see this collective squad hit such an immediate bump in the road under Porter after such an impressive 2013 season. Matters have been made all the more worse with goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts serving a two match suspension for his dangerous foul on Colorado Rapids forward Deshorn Brown, kicking his fellow Jamaican in the abdomen while attempting to clear a ball out of the box away from the on rushing attacker. With backup keeper Andrew Weber set to step in, there will be considerable pressure on the Timbers defensive unit, anchored by the physically imposing Gambian duo of Pa-Modou Kah and Mamadou "Futty" Danso. They could have a difficult time dealing with the quick movement of the FC Dallas attack.
If there's one area the Timbers will look to exploit it will be the FC Dallas defensive midfielders Hendry Thomas and Adam Moffat. With quality midfielders like Diego Valeri, Will Johnson, Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara, it could prove to be an arduous task for the duo to contend with that talent.
Both teams playing similar attacking styles could very well cancel each other out but there is also the potential to have an explosion of goals. This shapes up to be a match with a lot of scoring chances that will put the keepers and defensive units to work. Even though he has his detractors, the loss of Ricketts to suspension could play a big role and give FC Dallas the edge.
Prediction: FC Dallas 3-2 Portland Timbers
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