The Cascadia Cup is up for grabs this Friday when the Portland Timbers host the Seattle Sounders. Portland is ahead of both Seattle and Vancouver in the race for the regional trophy, so any result for the Timbers would give the club their third Cascadia Cup in the MLS era. It would also be a boon to their playoff chances after a disappointing home loss to Atlanta United on Sunday.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Providence Park in Portland, Oregon at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, August 23, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Portland Timbers -109
Seattle Sounders +270
Draw +291
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Seattle has not recorded a win in the month of August, and that has led to the Sounders slowly slipping down the table. It’s not time to press the panic button just yet, but they are currently tied for fourth place and they are only three points ahead of FC Dallas for a spot in the postseason.
The Sounders have only notched two draws in their last four matches, but they were fortunate to get a draw in a tough spot against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday. They were sizable underdogs, but a Daniel Steres red card in the sixth minute put the Sounders up a man for almost the entire match. Seattle still almost squandered the opportunity though, needing a bad own goal late to secure a draw.
Portland just can’t get the better of Atlanta United. On Sunday, the Timbers lost by the same score to the side that beat them for the MLS Cup last year, putting them in a tie with FC Dallas for the final playoff spot.
The Timbers are looking to make amends this week, and they are 5-2-2 at home. They beat Seattle 2-1 in the Emerald City a month ago with Brian Fernandez netting both Portland goals in the win.
Key Absences
Forward Will Bruin is out for the rest of the season for Seattle, and the Sounders are unlikely to have three more players for their clash with archrival Portland. Midfielder Alex Roldan (sprained ankle), midfielder Victor Rodriguez (strained hamstring), and defender Brad Smith (strained adductor) are all doubtful.
Three defenders are probably going to miss the match for Portland. Marco Farfan (knee), Modou Jadama (foot), and Larrys Mabiala (thigh) are all considered doubtful. Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has been ruled out for the rest of this campaign.
Player to Watch
Brian Fernandez has been sharp for Portland since joining from Liga MX side Necaxa back in May. Fernandez leads the Timbers in goals despite not playing the first two months of this campaign, and four of his 10 goals have been of the game-winning variety. He needs to have more consistency though. He has been boom or bust over his last seven starts though, failing to tally in five games, but notching a brace in the other two matches.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Seattle’s attack was incredibly flustered against the Galaxy last week. The Sounders just couldn’t break through despite being up a man, and they were continually squandering their chances due to their frustration.
I don’t think that will happen this time around, and I believe we’ll see an exciting derby. Both teams have midfield maestros in Diego Valeri and Nicolas Lodeiro, and the weapons on offense should lead to the game going over the total. Jeremy Ebobisse is looking to make amends after missing a great chance last week, and Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris are out to succeed after a lackluster display on Sunday.
Major League Soccer Odds: Portland Timbers 2, Seattle Sounders 2
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