A Cascadia Cup matchup will take center stage in the Pacific Northwest this Saturday as the Portland Timbers host the Vancouver Whitecaps for the second time this season. Their first meeting ended in a goalless tie, but with both teams suffering demoralizing defeats, three points is a must this time around.
Read on below for our comprehensive breakdown of this battle between Cascadia rivals. And for more of the weekend’s top MLS action, check out our previews of the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas vs. DC United.
[sc:Soccer ]Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Preview
Where: Providence Park, Portland
When: Saturday, July 18, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Vancouver Whitecaps at Portland Timbers – view all MLS lines
Betting on the Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Union – the Timbers’ first ever loss to Philly – as they were thumped 3-0 away from home on Saturday. The Timbers, who are fourth in the Western Conference table with 31 points in 20 games (nine wins, seven losses, four ties), had won six of their previous seven prior to that defeat.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Both of Portland’s most recent losses have been on the road, and both have been heavy defeats. They also lost 5-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy back on June 24.
However, they have been far more impressive on home turf. They’ve won five straight games at Providence Park, including wins over both conference leaders – the Sounders (4-1 on June 28) and DC United (1-0 on May 27).
Striker Fanendo Adi scored two goals in the 4-1 win against Seattle to continue his excellent form this season. He’s scored eight goals thus far, which is tied for sixth in the MLS scoring charts. Adi also bagged a brace in the Timbers’ 3-0 win in their second home game against Vancouver last season.
Despite shipping three goals against the Union, the Timbers defense has been much more secure at home. They’ve kept clean sheets in five of their last six home games, which includes a 0-0 tie in their first meeting this season against Vancouver.
Portland has six wins, three ties and just one loss in 10 home games this season.
Betting on the Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps remained winless in two games this July, as they fell to a 1-0 home loss against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday. The ‘Caps were a bit unlucky to lose against Sporting in a match they were dominating for long stretches.
The attacking quartet of Octavio Rivero (seven goals, three assists this season), Kekuta Manneh (four goals, one assist), Christian Techera (two goals, two assists) and Mauro Rosales had some great link up play in midfield and were constantly threatening in the final third. But they couldn’t find a way through to goal.
Despite the loss, the ‘Caps are still tied with Seattle Sounders FC atop the Western Conference with 32 points in 20 matches (10 wins, eight losses, two ties).
Vancouver just recently returned from a challenging five-game stretch consisting entirely of away games. The ‘Caps went 3-2-0 during that run, and upset likely playoff teams in the LA Galaxy (1-0 on June 6), New York Red Bulls (2-1 on June 20), and New England Revolution (2-1 on June 27). LA and New England were the MLS Cup Finalists last season.
Granted, the ‘Caps caught a huge slice of luck in that they had a man advantage against both the Galaxy and the Revolution for the majority of those matches. But they have primarily been makers of their own luck on the road this season. They’ve won seven games away from home – a new club record for a single season (7-3-1).
Writer’s Prediction
The Whitecaps claim the narrow 1-0 win on the road. Create a betting account now and claim some big winnings by wagering on soccer all season long.
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