Portland Timbers vs. Nashville SC: Match Thread [4:00]

The Portland Timbers are in for a tough match this afternoon when they host expansion side Nashville SC at Providence Park. After a disappointing home opener last Sunday, the Timbers now have an opportunity to show that they are capable of an improved performance on both sides of the ball.

Of course, that will be more difficult with first-choice right back Jorge Moreira out of the picture following a surgery to repair the meniscus in his knee undertaken earlier this week. With Moreira out, the Timbers will likely look to new signing Chris Duvall to fill in at right back. Duvall presents a more defensive minded look than Moreira did and it remains to be seen how the former Houston Dynamo player will in to the Timbers’ back line.

Match Day Reading

Storylines: “Can the Timbers rebound from a loss at home on opening night, or will the upstart Nashville squad come into Providence Park with something to prove?”

Scouting Report: “On the opening weekend against Atlanta United, the club fielded a starting eleven with as much MLS experience as pretty much anybody in MLS. The final result was a 2-1 loss but statistically, Nashville put up a good fight, outshooting ATL 14-6.”

The Importance of Tactical Consistancy — Rose City Review

What the Portland Timbers did wrong and how they fix it in Week 2 — MLSsoccer.com

Match Information

Watch it on: ESPN

Where: Providence Park in Portland, OR

When: Sunday, March 8th at 4:00 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 0-1-0, lost 3-1 to Minnesota United

Nashville SC: 0-1-0, lost 2-1 to Atlanta United