A new era begins today at Providence Park, as new Timbers manager Marti Cifuentes takes the helm for the first time as the Timbers face Club Tijuana in the final matchday of Leagues Cup Phase 1.
Match Info
Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM PST
Referees: Ismael Alexander Cornejo Melendez (Referee), Juan Francisco Zumba (Assistant), Giovany Garcia (Assistant), Jefferson Escobar (4th Official), Marianela Araya Cruz (Video Assistant Referee), Daniel Radford (Assistant Video Assistant Referee)
Broadcast: Apple TV, FS1, UniMas
Apple TV Talent: Max Bretos, Brian Dunseth (English), Jorge Perez Navarro, Marcelo Balboa (Spanish).
FS1 Talent: Josh Eastern, Dax McCarty
Club Tijuana
One of Mexico's youngest professional football clubs makes its first trip to Soccer City, USA. Club Tijuana was founded in 2007, after the folding of Gallos Caliente in 2006. Los Xolos competed in the Mexican second division from their inception in 2007 to 2011, before winning promotion to Liga MX. Tijuana is one of seven clubs in Mexico to never be relegated.
Stadium: Estadio Caliente
Manager: Sebastian Abreu (2nd season)
Record: 2-1-0 (7 points, 2nd in Liga MX)
Currently sitting in second place in Liga MX behind fellow Timbers Leagues Cup opponent Club América, Tijuana is led by Mexican International and young superstar Gilberto Mora. Mora was the youngest player at the World Cup, and if he plays the way he is currently playing, he is gearing himself up for a big move here in the near future. Expect him to play a big role for Tijuana tonight at Providence Park.
Tijuana manager Sebastian Abreu favors the 4-1-4-1, and I think we will see the same starting 11 from the club's match against San Diego FC. The only change I could potentially see happening is former New York Red Bulls striker Elias Manoel starting in place of Diego Abreu.
Marti's Managerial Debut
After a long and arduous visa process, Marti Cifuentes is in Portland and will make his managerial debut tonight. Tonight is an opportunity for Cifuentes to set the tone for his tenure in charge of the Timbers. With the Timbers set to play in Chicago again on Sunday in MLS, I predict tonight's lineup will be heavily rotated. Tonight would be a good night to see more of what Vincent Janssen is capable of. Whatever comes from tonight's game, take it as an opportunity to embrace a new era of the Portland Timbers. I'm excited.
With a spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals still at stake for the Timbers (dependent on standings and other results), I fully expect the Timbers to put their best foot forward and fight for the future. Their destiny is fully in their hands.
Drop your thoughts and reactions during tonight's game in the comments below.
