Please Please Win Meow Meow Meow

KC continue their two game Pacific Northwest road swing tomorrow when they'll take on the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field.  Portland is struggling quite a bit at the moment.  They've lost their last 4 games, and are winless in their last 5.  Of course a team that is struggling isn't always the thing you want to face.  Because sooner than later, they'll break out of the slump and with this game in Portland there's certainly the threat of it happening to KC.  Combine that with the win KC got last year over Portland, including CJ Sapong's celebration in front of the Timbers' Army last year.

After the win over Vancouver, KC has extended their lead atop the league, but KC certainly had some trouble getting the result.  Even though they won 3-1, Vancouver challenged KC more than any team so far this season.  KC really had trouble with the artificial surface, similar to their situation last year in Vancouver.  KC will once again be on turf in Portland, so it could be another rough outing for KC.  With Bobby Convey picking up a knock, and Paulo Nagamura cramping up, the team could see more changes to their lineup come tomorrow.  If Convey can't go, expect Jacob Peterson to step in.  And if Nagamura is unable to go, I'd expect Lawrence Olum to start in his place, unless Julio Cesar is ready to go.  I think there's a good chance that they'll start though.

Nielsen

Myers - Collin - Besler - Sinovic

Cesar - Espinoza

Zusi

Kamara - Sapong - Convey

Number to Remember - 6 - This is the end of KC's 6 game stretch against the Western Conference.  KC so far is 5-0-0, and guaranteed themselves a winning record against the West with that win against Vancouver.

Key Match Up - Seth Sinovic vs Kalif Alhassan - Alhassan had a big game in the opener against Philadelphia, and will be a handful for Sinovic to deal with.  It'll be similar to the match up Sinovic had to face against Vancouver in Atiba Harris.  And in that game, Sinovic struggled against the Vancouver winger.

PREDICTION - KC is in for a tough game against the Timbers.  The defense will need to be tighter than it was against the Whitecaps.  Kris Boyd is a straight finisher and will take advantage of any space that he is given.  Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler will need to be on their game to shut down the Scot.  In the end though this winning streak will end sooner than later, and I just have a worry it'll end tomorrow.  Of course I said the same thing against Vancouver...

KC - 1 (Sapong)
PDX - 1 (Boyd)