Match details:

SJ Earthquakes (H) vs Portland Timbers (A)
Date: 20th Sept 2020
Time: 08:00 am IST
Venue: Earthquakes Stadium (San Jose, California)
Competition: MLS

Preview:

In this fixture, we will see SJ Earthquakes host Portland Timbers. Earthquakes managed to hold back Timbers on a 1-1 tie, despite heavy quad rotation from Timbers. In this game, Timbers are most likely to come on top with the regular starters set to play.

Key Stats & Info:

• SJ Earthquakes are suffering from terrible form & have 2 losses & 3 draws in their last 5 games.

• Portland meanwhile have 1 win, 2 draw & 2 losses in the last 5 games.

• Their recent head-to-head is biased towards Portland Timbers. In a total of 27 meetings between the two sides, SJ Earthquakes have won 6, Portland Timbers won 13 & 8 have ended in a draw.

Probable starting XI:

SJ Earthquakes:

Vega (GK), G. Kashia, F. Jungwirth, O. Alanis, M. Lopez, N. Lima, V. Qazaishvili, C. Espinoza, J. Yueill, C. Wondolowski, T. Thompson.

Portland Timbers:

Clark (GK), J. Villafana, D. Zuparic, Bonilla, Tuiloma, D. Valeri, Y. Chara, E. Williamson,D Chara, M. Loria, Ebobisse.

Key players:

Qazaishvili (SJ): This is the fourth year for the 27-year old Georgian national with the club. He is deployed as CAM/AML leading the midfield attack. His skillset for quick finesse dribbling, long shots & an eye for key passes makes him well suited for the role. So far he has got 4 goals & 2 assist in all competition this season. He scored one in their midweek’s game with Portland.

Espinoza (SJ): The Argentinian national joined San Jose last season only. He is deployed either as a CM or AMR in more outfield roles. His multiple skillsets allow for a wide range of creativity from him. His ball trajectories are dead on making him suited for crosses & as a set-piece taker. His tactical rating allows him to thread beautiful key passes. So far he has scored, 2 goals & 3 assists in all competition this season.

Valeri (PT): Valeri joined Portland in 2013 and has taken up a permanent spot in the line-up since, helping the club to their first MLS Cup title, in 2015. Deployed as CAM & gifted technically, he has an excellent reading of the game allowing him to thread wonderful key passes & his ball trajectory control sees him up inaccurate crosses & take precise set pieces. Season so far, he has scored 3 goals in MLS.

Ebobisse (PT): The 23-year-old Ebobisse finished his third season in Portland in 2019 & was their only player to appear in all 34 games last season. Playing as a pure striker, his finishing & aerial superiority constantly help focus on the passes & crosses into the goal. Last season, he was their highest-scoring with 11 goals & 2 assists.

Captain & vice-captain picks:

• D Valeri

• F Mora

• J Ebobisse

• C Espinoza

• D. Chara

Dream11 team:

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