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Portland vs. Minnesota: Preview and How To Watch

By David A. Hughes II

Feb 21, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota United FC defender Kevin Venegas (22), center, gets into a shoving match after he is issued a red card during the second half in a game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The Timbers won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota United FC defender Kevin Venegas (22), center, gets into a shoving match after he is issued a red card during the second half in a game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The Timbers won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the MLS season fast approaching, here’s what you can expect from Friday night’s showdown featuring the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United FC.

The last time Minnesota traveled to Providence Park, they left with a draw.  Not a bad result in an unknown location for one of their last preseason matches, but March 3rd will be a different story.

This Friday marks the start of the 22nd season of MLS action.  With a new season comes new roster updates, new turns in management, and as often with MLS, new teams.  One of the two expansion teams will be looking to kick-start their inaugural season with a win, but a tall task awaits.

Minnesota United enters the MLS with Atlanta United FC as the 21st and 22nd teams respectively. During their time in the NASL’s Modern Era, Minnesota appeared in the playoffs four times; 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015.  In 2011, Minnesota, or NSC Minnesota Stars at the time, were crowned NASL Champions.  A year later, they found themselves in the exact same place, but on the other end of the spectrum as they lost to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.  In 2014, Minnesota was crowned the Spring Season Champions and also received the North American Supporter’s Trophy.

Portland on the other hand is coming off a season of inconsistency and disappointment.  In 2015, the Timbers were crowned MLS Champions, but couldn’t replicate the same success the following year.

Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2016, the Timbers finished the regular season 7th in the Western Conference and two points behind Real Salt Lake, who held the last playoff spot.  As a result, Portland was the first team in MLS history to miss out on the playoffs the following year they had won the MLS Cup.

With a complete roster overhaul in the off-season, head coach, Caleb Porter, was intent on making last season a distant memory.  Portland signed three members of their USL affiliate PT2 to the first team roster and are looking forward to the future growth of the club.  In addition, veterans like Chance Myers, Roy Miller, and Lawrence Olum were brought in, in order to sure up the defense and lower the goals against totals.

The opening match of the season proves to be a good one as the previous meeting between the two teams served as a satisfying preview.  Blows were traded from both sides in mid February as the final result displayed 2-2.

Adrian Heath is no stranger to new environments, big games, and big moments as he will be looking to succeed with his second expansion side.  Minnesota will likely put the pressure on Portland as soon as the match starts, just as they did in preseason.

Portland, the definition of “home field advantage”, is built for sustaining pressure and putting on a show for their fans.  Porter and his men will be up for this one and will be confident in their modified roster.  On a side note, since 2012, Portland is undefeated in their opening match of the season, collecting two wins and three draws.

Next: Minnesota vs Portland: 3 things to watch for

Prediction: Timbers 2-1 Minnesota

The opening match of the 2017 MLS season can be seen on Fox Sports 1 as well as MLS Live. Kick-off is set for 9:30 PM ET, see you then.

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