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It is finally time! The Portland Timbers have their second preseason match of the year today, but this time we will be able to watch it!
The Timbers are set to take on the Houston Dynamo today at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. The match will be the Timbers' first of three against MLS opposition in Tucson this year.
Preview Thoughts
While the team has not commented on their plan for the match, it is likely that the Timbers will again split the match into two 45 minute halves, giving their first and second lineups each a run out, as well as getting spot minutes for those players on the outside looking in.
It is possible that we could see some changes to the lineups today, particularly with the recent sale of midfielder George Fochive to Denmark's Viborg FF and the unknown statuses of Jack Jewsbury, who missed the weekend's match against FC Tucson, and Chris Klute, who got a late start on full team training following an offseason meniscus-repair surgery.
While Jewsbury could make his return and step immediately into the midfield for Fochive, the door is open for a role further up the pitch for trialist Eric Avila as well. Usually an attacking midfielder, Avila has been limited to playing right back for the Timbers so far in the match against FC Tucson as well as intra-squad scrimmages.
Additionally, with Liam Ridgewell and Darlington Nagbe still out of camp, the Timbers may take this opportunity to change things up, giving a player like Taylor Peay a chance alongside Nat Borchers, or fitting Ben Zemanski into the first team rotation in place of Ned Grabavoy.
Finally, with an extra spot now open on the roster, the Timbers could potentially look to bring in some new trialists; players looking to either earn a spot on the first team or potentially join up with T2.
Match Information
Watch it on: Live streaming on Timbers.com or embedded below
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. PT at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ
Portland Timbers: Finished 2015 in 3rd place in the Western Conference, 15-11-8
Houston Dynamo: Finished 2015 in 8th place in the Western Conference, 11-14-9