MX23RW : Tuesday, May 17 19:59:33| >> :600:376000:376000:
[monks data]
May 15, 2022 at 3am UK at Jeld-Wen Field
Portland
7 - 2
Kansas
Tuiloma (12'), Blanco (46', 52'), Fogaca (56', 69'), Loria (88'), Moreno (90+2')
van Rankin (64'), Tuiloma (72'), Chara (86')
van Rankin (74')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Russell (57'), Tzionis (75')
Espinoza (18'), Voloder (35')
Voloder (78')

Preview: Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to end a five-game winless streak across all competitions, Portland Timbers welcome Sporting Kansas City to Providence Park on Sunday.

On the other hand, the away side come into this one looking to make it back to back victories for the first time this term having ended a run of six straight winless matches last time out.


Match preview

Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese before a game against Los Angeles Galaxy at Providence Park on April 4, 2022© Reuters

Portland Timbers have suffered an early exit from this season's US Open Cup following a 2-0 disappointing defeat to Los Angeles FC on Sunday.

Goals in either half from Cristian Arango and Mamadou Fall sent Giovanni Savarese's men packing in a largely one-sided contest at the Banc of California Stadium.

This came off the back of a 1-1 stalemate against New York Red Bulls in the Timbers' last league outing on May 1, which leaves them sitting 10th in the Western Conference.

Their next assignment comes against an opposing side who have failed to win any of the most recent eight meetings between the teams since August 2018.

Having amassed just six points across five home league matches this term, Sunday's hosts will need to get going in front of their fans to stand any chance of challenging for a playoff berth.

Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes reacts during the first half against Real Salt Lake at Children's Mercy Park on March 26, 2022© Reuters

Sporting Kansas City came out on top in a 4-2 thriller against FC Dallas at the Children's Mercy Park to progress into the next round of the US Open Cup.

Peter Vermes's men found themselves with a mountain to climb at half time thanks to first-half strikes from Franco Jara and Eddie Munjoma, before hitting back through Nikola Vujnovic, Marinos Tzionis, Khiry Shelton and an own goal from Edwin Cerrillo.

Prior to that, the Wizards, who are currently 12th in the Western Conference, were held to a drab goalless draw by New York City FC in last Sunday's encounter at the Yankee Stadium.

With just one point picked up from six away league games so far, Sunday's visitors will be seeking a change in fortune on the road this weekend.

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D

Portland Timbers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L

Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D

Sporting Kansas City form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W


Team News

Portland Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second half against Los Angeles Galaxy at Providence Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

Portland's Felipe Mora still awaits his first outing of the campaign as he continues to recuperate from a recent surgery.

Thirty-year-old George Fochive has not featured much this term either having missed a huge chunk of action due to a knee problem.

Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda will both be unavailable for Sporting Kansas, with the duo currently nursing respective knee injuries.

American defender Graham Zusi is a huge doubt for Sunday's contest, which should see Robert Voloder retain his place in the starting XI.

Nicolas Isimat-Mirin could however return to the fold after sitting out each of the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Bingham; Rasmussen, Zuparic, Mabiala, Bonillia; Williamson, Paredes; Loria, Chara, Moreno; Niezgoda

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Ndenbe, Voloder, Ford, Duke; Walter, Rosell, Espinoza; Salloi, Shelton, Russell


SM words green background

We say: Portland Timbers 1-0 Sporting Kansas City

Both sides have struggled in front of goal this term, so we expect a low-scoring affair with little goalmouth action. That said, we are also backing the home team to narrowly edge out their visitors and come away with all three points.




Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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How you voted: Portlvs vs Kansas

Portland Timbers
100%
Draw
0.0%
Sporting Kansas City
0.0%
10
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New York Red Bulls midfielder Omir Fernandez (21) celebrates after scoring a goal against the CF Montreal in the first half at Red Bull Arena on April 9, 2022
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Tables

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia11551169720
2CF MontrealMontreal116232219320
3Orlando City126241415-120
4New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls11542179819
5FC CincinnatiCincinnati126151618-219
6New York City FCNY City1052321101117
7Atlanta UnitedAtlanta114341716115
8Columbus Crew113441513213
9DC United104151415-113
10Charlotte FCCharlotte FC124171015-513
11New England RevolutionNew England113351820-212
12Toronto123271623-711
13Inter MiamiInter Miami113261121-1011
14Chicago Fire11245813-510

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia11551169720
2CF MontrealMontreal116232219320
3Orlando City126241415-120
4New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls11542179819
5FC CincinnatiCincinnati126151618-219
6New York City FCNY City1052321101117
7Atlanta UnitedAtlanta114341716115
8Columbus Crew113441513213
9DC United104151415-113
10Charlotte FCCharlotte FC124171015-513
11New England RevolutionNew England113351820-212
12Toronto123271623-711
13Inter MiamiInter Miami113261121-1011
14Chicago Fire11245813-510

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