San Jose Earthquakes Sj vs Portland Timbers Port Picks and Predictions June 19th 2024

Improving Timbers Chase Another Win Over Quakes

The Portland Timbers aim to seal another win against the San Jose Earthquakes when they face each other once more on Wednesday night in San Jose. In their previous meeting, the Timbers experienced a significant change in fortune, now moving upwards, as the Earthquakes still face challenges.

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Recap of the Last Meeting

Dramatic Turnaround for the Timbers

In their previous match on May 15, the Timbers were in the midst of a nine-match winless streak. Things looked dire for Portland when the visiting Earthquakes took a two-goal lead by halftime. However, the game shifted dramatically in the second half after San Jose’s Bruno Wilson received a red card in the 71st minute—a decision later rescinded by a review panel. Taking advantage of the situation, the Timbers rallied for a 4-2 victory, with Jonathan Rodriguez scoring twice, and Evander and Felipe Mora each adding a goal.
Current Form and Recent Performances

Portland Timbers’ Improvement

Since that pivotal match, Portland (5-7-6, 21 points) has improved significantly, posting a 3-1-2 record. Timbers coach Phil Neville reflected on the team’s progress, stating, “Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two forward.” The Timbers had a weekend off following a 0-0 draw at St. Louis City on June 8, during which backup goalkeeper James Pantemis secured his second consecutive shutout of the season.

Pantemis highlighted the team’s defensive commitment, saying, “We want to pride ourselves on being hard to beat and hard to score on, and (it) was a perfect example, especially on the road in tough conditions. We put our bodies on the line to keep that clean sheet and it feels great.”

Struggles of the Earthquakes

On the other hand, the Earthquakes (3-12-2, 11 points) have continued to face difficulties, managing a record of 0-4-1 following their defeat against Portland. In their last two games, they have allowed a total of nine goals – losing 5-1 to New York City FC and 4-2 to FC Cincinnati at home. Yuya Kubo of Cincinnati scored three goals in a period of nine minutes towards the end of the second half in the last game.

Earthquakes coach Luchi Gonzalez expressed his disappointment and determination after the Cincinnati match, saying, “It’s going to hurt because we had the game in our hands until we didn’t. It’s about control. We control the next moment and we’re never going to give up. I’m not going to ever give up. These guys won’t give up. We’re going to learn and keep trying to figure this out. That’s what we can control.”

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Key Players and Tactical Insights

Portland’s Key Contributors

Jonathan Rodriguez and Evander have been crucial for the Timbers, particularly in their last encounter against San Jose. Backup goalkeeper James Pantemis has also been a standout, securing consecutive clean sheets and reinforcing the team’s defensive resilience.

San Jose’s Defensive Woes

San Jose’s defensive struggles have been a major issue, as evidenced by their recent performances. The Earthquakes will need to tighten up defensively if they hope to reverse their fortunes. Coach Luchi Gonzalez’s focus on learning and improving indicates a strategic shift aimed at addressing these vulnerabilities.
Historical Context and Series Record

Head-to-Head Record

Portland holds a significant advantage in the MLS series between the teams, with a 17-7-10 record. This historical dominance adds pressure on San Jose to perform and break the Timbers’ stronghold.

Conclusion

As the Portland Timbers seek to continue their upward momentum and the San Jose Earthquakes strive to end their slump, Wednesday’s match promises to be a compelling encounter. With contrasting forms and recent performances, the game will be a test of resilience and tactical adjustments for both teams. Fans can expect a determined effort from both sides as they battle for crucial points.