Portland Timbers Port vs Real Salt Lake Real Picks and Predictions July 13th 2024

RSL, Timbers Promise High-Scoring Affair

Match Overview

The Portland Timbers will host Real Salt Lake in what promises to be an energizing, high-scoring MLS Western Conference showdown on Saturday. Despite a tongue-in-cheek expectation from Timbers mentor Phil Neville kidding about a scoreless draw, the going after prowess of the two teams suggests otherwise.

Real Salt Lake’s Offensive Capability

Real Salt Lake (12-3-7, 43 points) leads the MLS Western Conference with 48 goals, showcasing their going after profundity and consistency. RSL is falling off an ordering 5-2 triumph against Atlanta United, with Chicho Arango netting his MLS-driving seventeenth objective of the season. Diego Luna also starred in that match, contributing an objective and three assists. Despite being left off the U.S. roster for the Paris Olympics, Luna has been a standout entertainer with five goals and 12 assists this season.

“He’s a player that plays with a chip on his shoulder,” RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “Credit to Diego for his endeavor and, really, his quality … selfishly for me and the rest of our team, we’ve got a top-caliber player that’s going to be available for the next four games.”

Luna, remaining focused despite the Olympic snub, stated, “I’m grateful to be here and to be able to stay here with RSL in this great run of form and continue to do stuff like this and hopefully more, right? So I’m happy, focused. I’m here with RSL and I’m going to continue to work hard.”

Portland Timbers’ Strong Form

The Timbers (9-8-6, 33 points) have also been potent in attack, ranking second in the conference with 45 goals. Portland has been in good form recently, going 7-2-2 over their past 11 matches to climb to fifth place in the conference. Their recent 4-1 victory against Nashville SC showcased their offensive capabilities, with Jonathan Rodriguez scoring twice and Felipe Mora also finding the net. Portland now boasts three players with 10 or more goals this season, including Evander, who has 10 goals and a team-high 11 assists.

Coaches’ Perspectives

Phil Neville acknowledges the challenge that RSL presents, highlighting the quality and attacking nature of both teams.

“I think this is probably going to be one of our toughest games we’ve had for a long time,” Neville said. “And so we’re really excited. I’m excited to see how far we’ve come. I’m excited for the occasion. I’m excited for a game (featuring) two attacking teams.”

Historical Context

This will be the first meeting between Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers this season. Historically, the Timbers hold a slight edge in their regular-season series with a 13-9-10 record against RSL.

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Key Players to Watch

• Chicho Arango (RSL): The league’s driving scorer with 17 goals, Arango is a constant danger before objective.
• Diego Luna (RSL): Despite being left off the U.S. Olympic group, Luna’s performances have been stellar, contributing significantly to RSL’s going after play with five goals and 12 assists.
• Jonathan Rodriguez, Felipe Mora, and Evander (Portland): These three players have been instrumental in Portland’s assault, each scoring at least 10 goals this season.

Conclusion

As the main two scoring teams in the MLS Western Conference go head to head, fans can expect an outright exhilarating and high-scoring encounter. With the two teams in strong structure and boasting powerful going after options, Saturday’s match between Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers promises to be an engaging spectacle.