Minnesota United vs Portland Timbers: 3 things to watch for in the MLS opener
By Tyler Hanson
Minnesota United travels to Providence Park on Friday to on the Timbers, but they are question marks for each team.
Expansion side Minnesota will play their first-ever MLS match on Friday night, as they travel to Portland to take on the Timbers in the MLS season opener. Here are three things to watch for in this matchup:
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1) Portland’s attacking cohesion
Portland’s attack has only added one piece this offseason that should start. But it was a big addition. The Argentinian winger Sebastian Blanco adds to an already dangerous attack, and they’ll hope he’s able to work well with Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, and Fenendo Adi. The question is, will the attack be able to fully gel as a unit despite Blanco’s unfamiliarity with the rest of the attack, or will it take a couple of matches?
2) How will Minnesota’s NASL players perform?
Minnesota United will likely have at least two NASL player starting on Friday night, in Christian Ramirez and Justin Davis. Kevin Venegas is also an option to start at Right back due to Jèrôme Thiesson still finishing up paperwork, but I’m assuming Jermaine Taylor starts instead.
Minnesota will need Ramirez and Davis to not get overwhelmed, especially at one of the most daunting away venues in North America. United will likely need good performances from both, if they hope to get something out of this match.
3) The back line for each team
Both teams have questions with their back line going into this match. For Minnesota, it’s the full back positions. The likely starters are former NASL player Justin Davis at Left back, and an out of position Jermaine Taylor at Right back. Minnesota will need both players to come up big on Friday night.
For Portland, the worry is with the Centerback pairing, after the loss of The Beard (aka Nat Borchers). It will be a Liam Ridgewell-Lawrence Olum for a Timbers, a pair that has never started together. Portland will need the two to find their footing quickly, and form somewhat of a cohesive pairing.
Next: Minnesota United signs Jèrôme Thiesson
The opening game of the MLS 2017 season will be Friday at 9:30 pm EST on FS1.