Late start for the Columbus Crew tonight as they are in Portland to take on the Timbers at Providence Park. Kickoff 10:30 PM EST (7:30 PM Pacific).
GAME NOTES
CLB: On Int'l Duty: Waylon Francis, Michael Parkhurst
CLB: Winless in last seven
CLB: Goal-less in last three
PDX: Starters Out: Chara, Harrington
PDX: 8 pts in last 6 at home (1 win, 5 draws, 0 loss)
PDX: Important 3 pts if they want to climb back in to season.
TEN PREDICTIONS
Percent correct in picking Columbus Crew matches only. Sorted best to worst.
60% WHOSCORED.COM ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
Graham Ruthven is on a roll. Likes the Timbers in a low scoring 1-0 affair, saying; "Federico Higuain can't carry the team on his own and they look lightweight in attack as a result."
60% WIN DRAW WIN ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
Portland all over this one. 2-1 stake and 55% of the Your Vote.
40% COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
"It’s hard to forecast a Crew victory - or even a goal - until it actually earns one," states Crew beat man Adam Jardy.
30% BET365 ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
Getting strong home odds with 17/20 (23/10 Draw, 7/2 Crew).
30% GOAL.COM ... PORTLAND TIMBERS (lean)
No name on today's quick preview. Nothing really of note here. Handful of fans that have voted like Portland.
30% HOME TEAM ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
Portland has been near impossible to be at home but teams have been pulling out draws.
30% MLSSOCCER ... PORTLAND TIMBERS
Four of the six like Portland, the other two a tie. Jason Saghini leading the pack over there with 43% accuracy.
20% WV HOOLIGAN ... n/a
No preview today from Drew Epperley.
10% TABLE POSITION ... COLUMBUS CREW
Few more branches to hit on the way down.
0% MASSIVE REPORT ... n/a
Pat Murphy takes a look at Crew player absences due to international duty, give it a read.
MY PREDICTION, THOUGHTS
The Crew have everything to gain and not a whole lot to lose tonight. A late game win with a couple of key players out in the backline is sort of a get outta jail free card as far as a result. Speaking of the backline; it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
The Crew are lucky to have been able to keep Gonzalez for one more match, so they have him at CB. You've also got Josh Williams still available but some reports have him shifting to the left. The regular Crew backline is top five in goals against this year, so while a lot of focus has been put on a weak attack, defending and 'keeping is top notch.
Portland is always good for a goal late so even if the Crew get one they will be facing overwhelming pressure on a makeshift backline (that will also be out of shape and playing past bedtime). Hard to say the Crew have a win in them, though a tie would not be surprising.
Enjoy the game!
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For any regular readers out there I'm happy to announce that Helltown will have audio tomorrow (some call it a podcast). Rick Gethin will host with myself and a couple special guests. We are pretty excited about it and have some very cool plans. Red Cards in Helltown is the show name, look for it!
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