Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prematch Thoughts: Cascadia clash start the 7 game road trip

Cascadia Cup

It's a Cascadia Cup fixture for the Whitecaps, one of the longest rivalries in Major League Soccer between the teams in the Pacific Northwest. And this time it is between the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps, who will try to gain step in both the Cascadia Cup standings, and the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings. With the Whitecaps starting the 7 game road trip against Portland, they would look for a strong start to these 7 games away from BC Place. While the Seattle Sounders the other team in this Cascadia rivalry will enjoy this one on their televisions, as their game is on Sunday. This matchup between these two rivals will also heavily impact the Cascadia Cup standings, as a win for Portland would basically clinch the Cascadia Cup for 2023 it would eliminate the Whitecaps from winning it, and it would take a miraculous effort by Seattle to win the cup if the Portland Timbers defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. On the other hand, if the Whitecaps get the win it would make them the top of the Cascadia Cup standings, it will put the Whitecaps in a great position to win the Cascadia Cup, as they can decide there destiny in the final Cascadia Cup game versus Seattle Sounders away. But first they have to get the win against Portland. So for both of these clubs, a win here there might be a Cascadia Cup trophy coming to your city. As if either club wins, it will be crucial for the Cascadia Cup silverware. But for Seattle, it will be more optimal if a draw occurs as if they win both the games they'll be Cascadia Cup champions. The least optimal result from this fixture between Portland and Vancouver, if you're the Sounders will be a Portland win, as your Goal Differential is dreadful, if you win against Portland then the points when facing each other would be the same and even if they win both their remaining games, they will still probably be unable to win the cup. For the Caps this is silverware that you haven't won since 2016, and this is something that means a lot to the fans, since this competition was originated by the fans of Portland, Seattle and Vancouver.

Atmosphere

It's not a Cascadia Cup match if we don't talk about the atmosphere, as in this Pacific Northwest territory there are always opposing fans in your stadium, when you are up against your Cascadia rivals. This game will be played in Portland at Providence Park. As Vanni describes it, he feels like it is like Europe where the rival fans is coming to your place, or your fans are going to their place depending on the matchday. And you don't get a lot of that in the MLS, but here in the Cascadia derby you do. Probably 20,000+ in the stadium. And I think it'll be another special atmosphere with both the fans creating an intense atmosphere. It is worth noting the Caps had a good amount of fans last time they were in Portland.

Key Factor

While the Caps was known last season to be fine with the possession numbers being low, it seems like it was now been bumped up to average, the Whitecaps average possession in the 2023 MLS season has been 49.9%. On the other hand, the Timbers has had a drastically low number, only having possession of the ball 44% of the time. So this might be a good match for the Whitecaps to be very aware of possession, as I think we can get high possession numbers here, especially with the Portland possession number being so low. This is a great chance to be controlling the game, using the ball to your advantage.

Vanni decisions

There isn't many crucial decisions he has to make here, as I doubt that Gauld will start from the bench again. I will say that the two Canadian acquisitions might be a question mark, but with how they played last time I believe they will start. Both impressed me and I think the chemistry between those two will show, as they are both from the Canadian national team. The only thing is that, if we look forward to later in the week, the Whitecaps will have another fixture, it will be against the Chicago Fire. Maybe Vanni will save some key players energy for that game? As Vanni loves to rest players, for games in the middle of the week. I believe someone like White or Schopf will get saved for the midweek game. Other than that midweek game, that Vanni will most likely plan forward to that, I believe this should be pretty straight forward from the Italian.

Prediction

I believe it will be a 1-1 draw between these two rivals. It will be a Whitecaps domination in the first half, it'll probably be one of those halfs for Vancouver. They will get numerous chances but they will actually score 1. And it will be strangely boring in the second half but the result will come for Portland as I believe that they would find the goal to draw even. And it will end like that.

Final Score Prediction: Portland Timbers 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Key Player Of The Match (Who I expect)

I believe this would be Ryan Gauld, he hasn't scored in 4 games and I think that he would get a goal on Saturday. The Scotsman seems to have had a issue with his hamstring, but I believe that he is back to 100% now. I believe that he would be world class here against the Portland Timbers. The Gauldfather I expect have great vision and fantastic dribbling, as I think this will be a wonderful performance in a Cascadia Derby by Ryan Gauld.