Vancouver Whitecaps v Portland Timbers: Visitors´ character is unbreakable, says Neville

Phil Neville has praised Portland Timbers’ resilience and has urged them to keep fighting when they face Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS on Saturday.

The Timbers came from behind twice to salvage a 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake last weekend, meaning they have lost just one of their last five matches.

However, they have struggled on the road, failing to win any of their four such matches in the league.

Portland sit eighth in the Western Conference, but Neville has much higher ambitions than just making the playoffs.

“We don’t give up in any game and that’s a really special quality, and it’s a quality that not many teams have,” Neville said.

“They’ve contributed throughout the season and attitude is so important. The character of this team is unbreakable, but we’ve got to get the next bit [defending] right.

“We’re not just pushing for the playoffs, we’re in it to win it and if we keep that togetherness, we’re going a long way.”

ONCE AGAIN! Vancouver Whitecaps FC have the best Italian #VWFC | #VANvTOR pic.twitter.com/b2Qt6Darp4

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) September 26, 2024

Meanwhile, Vancouver won the Canadian Championship title for the third year in a row on Wednesday, beating Toronto FC 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

In MLS, they have won just one of their last four matches, sitting two points above their opponents, and head coach Vanni Sartini is hoping to find a balance between celebrating their triumph and preparing for Saturday.

“I’m going to have a drink and knowing that Saturday is so important, unfortunately, we can’t really get crazy because we are in crunch time,” said Sartini.

“It’s not like last year when it was in the middle of the season, and you could quote-on-quote throw away the next game.

“It’s so important for Saturday that we have to celebrate, but with some restraint.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Ryan Gauld has recorded an assist in each of his last four regular season matches for the Whitecaps, the second time he has done so in his career (also July 2022).

No player in Vancouver’s history has recorded an assist in five straight regular-season games.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander has contributed to at least one goal in 11 straight regular season matches, a club record for the Timbers.

There have been only two longer streaks in MLS history: Josef Martínez (15 straight) in 2019 and Sebastian Giovinco (12 straight) in 2018.

A free kick of the highest quality.

Evander’s strike is the @ATT Goal of the Matchday winner. https://t.co/KUnX8ck0L3 pic.twitter.com/joWECpN2ih

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 25, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps and Timbers have each recorded a home win against the other already this season. Since the start of the 2018 season, Portland have won eight times against the Whitecaps, with Vancouver winning seven (one draw).

Indeed, the Whitecaps have won four of their last five home Cascadia Cup matches (L1), including a 3-2 win over Portland on March 30. Vancouver had won just two of their previous 10 matches against the Seattle Sounders and Timbers in Vancouver (D4 L4).

Meanwhile, Portland’s 3-3 draw at Real Salt Lake on Saturday marked the 11th time this season the Timbers have failed to win a match in which they scored multiple goals. Only LA Galaxy in 2018 (12 times) have endured more such games in a single season in MLS history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 43.6%

Draw – 26.8%

Portland Timbers – 29.6%