Portland Timbers vs St. Louis City
Timbers and St. Louis City share spoils
Rafael Navarro and K. Velde trade goals in a lively 2-2 draw.
St. Louis City struck early through Rafael Navarro, who doubled his tally after the break, but Portland Timbers' K. Velde kept the home side in contention with goals before half-time and in the 89th minute. The match ended in a balanced 2-2 draw, defying Fipster's low-confidence prediction of an away win and a higher scoring affair.
Outcome probability
Portland Timbers and St. Louis City are set for a mouth-watering clash in the 24th round of the season. Both teams have shown attacking prowess, promising a match full of goals and excitement.
Match factors
Portland's attacking trio in form
Kevin Kelsy, Kristoffer Velde, and Simon Becher show strong recent scoring form, boosting Portland's attack potential
David Pereira da Costa's creative influence
David Pereira da Costa leads Portland with 6 assists, significantly above league average for midfielders
Simon Becher's scoring streak
Becher scored 5 goals in last 5 matches, indicating strong form and confidence
Portland missing key defender Brandon Bye
Bye's absence weakens Portland's defense and reduces attacking support from the back
St. Louis City's balanced attack
Marcel Hartel and Simon Becher provide goal threat and assists, supported by Tomas Totland's midfield contributions
The context
Portland Timbers currently sit 12th in the league with 28 points from 22 games, while St. Louis City hold a stronger position in 6th place with 34 points. This fixture pits a mid-table side against a team pushing for higher honours, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.
Key insights
Kevin Kelsy
Portland Timbers
Top scorer for Portland with 9 goals, showing strong recent form and being a key attacking focal point.
Major League Soccer 26/279 goals in 20 appearances, 0.45 avg per game
David Pereira da Costa
Portland Timbers
Leading assister with 6 assists, providing creative influence and key passes.
Major League Soccer 26/276 assists in 19 appearances, 0.32 avg per game
Simon Becher
Portland Timbers
On a hot streak with 5 goals in last 5 games, adding significant attacking threat.
Major League Soccer 26/273 goals in 20 appearances, 0.15 avg per game
Marcel Hartel
St. Louis City
Provides goal threat and assists, contributing to a balanced attack.
Major League Soccer 26/276 goals in 16 appearances, 0.38 avg per game
Analysis
The prediction leans towards an away win for St. Louis City in a closely contested match ending 4-3. The halftime scoreline of 2-1 in favour of the visitors suggests an early advantage that Portland will strive to overturn. Both teams boast key attacking players in form: Portland's Kevin Kelsy leads with 9 goals this season, supported by Kristoffer Velde and Simon Becher, who have been consistent contributors. St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel and Simon Becher provide a balanced attacking threat, with Tomas Totland adding midfield creativity. However, Portland's defensive stability is compromised by the absence of key defender Brandon Bye, which could be exploited by the visitors.
Key facts
- 1.Portland Timbers are 12th in the league with 28 points from 22 games (W8 D4 L10).
- 2.St. Louis City are 6th in the league with 34 points from 22 games (W9 D7 L6).
- 3.Kevin Kelsy is Portland's top scorer with 9 goals this season.
- 4.Simon Becher has scored 5 goals in his last 5 games, showing excellent form.
- 5.David Pereira da Costa leads Portland with 6 assists this season.
- 6.Brandon Bye is out injured, weakening Portland's defence.
- 7.The predicted halftime score is 1-2 in favour of St. Louis City.
- 8.The predicted fulltime score is 3-4, indicating a high-scoring match.
Prediction
We predict St. Louis City to clinch a narrow 4-3 victory over Portland Timbers. The match promises to be a goal-fest with both sides finding the net multiple times, but the visitors' attacking balance and Portland's defensive gaps may prove decisive.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Portland Timbers
Away — St. Louis City
The verdict
In what should be an entertaining and high-scoring encounter, St. Louis City's attacking edge and Portland's defensive frailties could tip the scales. Fans can expect a rollercoaster of goals and drama before the final whistle.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Navarro
Pereira da Costa
Polvara
Yellow Card
Velde
Orozco
Yellow Card
Totland
Yellow Card
Orozco
Navarro
Miller
Yellow Card
Miller
Jeong Sang-Bin
Polvara
Lassiter
Navarro
Yellow Card
Mățan
Rafael Santos
Miller
Ortiz
Navarro
Velde
Assist: Bassett
Janssen
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Vancouver Whitecaps | 24 | 14 | 4 | 6 | +30 | 46 |
| 4 |  San Jose Earthquakes | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | +8 | 41 |
| 5 |  St. Louis City | 25 | 11 | 8 | 6 | +7 | 41 |
| 6 |  Los Angeles FC | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | +14 | 40 |
| 7 |  Colorado Rapids | 25 | 11 | 2 | 12 | +1 | 35 |
| 8 |  Portland Timbers | 25 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 32 |
| 9 |  San Diego | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 30 |
Match Statistics
Portland Timbers
4-3-3Starting XI
- 4K. MillerD
- 7A. LassiterF
- 10David Pereira da CostaM
- 14V. JanssenF
- 15E. MillerD
- 17C. BassettM
- 20F. SurmanD
- 27J. ForyD
- 41J. PantemisG
- 80J. OrtizM
- 99K. VeldeF
Substitutes
- 2J. WatermanD
- 6A. BonetigD
- 11AntonyF
- 12R. HernándezD
- 21D. CharáM
- 22O. FernandezF
- 23Ian SmithD
- 26H. SulteG
- 88Andrew GuerraF
St. Louis City
3-5-1-1Starting XI
- 1R. BürkiG
- 8C. DurkinM
- 9Rafael NavarroF
- 14T. TotlandM
- 20Rafael SantosM
- 21D. PolvaraD
- 23A. MățanM
- 24D. EdelmanM
- 32T. BaumgartlD
- 77Jeong Sang-BinM
- 99J. OrozcoD
Substitutes
- 5L. MacNaughtonD
- 7T. OstrákM
- 11S. BecherF
- 19C. HolseF
- 27F. FallD
- 28M. PerezM
- 39B. LundtG
- 42D. DownsF
- 59M. JoynerM
Portland Timbers
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Velde | F | 90 | 8.8 | 2 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1/6 |
| C. Bassett | M | 90 | 7.7 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0/2 |
| J. Ortiz | M | 81 | 6.8 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| F. Surman | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Antony | F | 25 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/3 |
| A. Lassiter | F | 65 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| O. Fernandez | F | 9 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| K. Miller | D | 81 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Hernández | D | 25 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| D. Chará | M | 72 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E. Miller | D | 65 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ian Smith | D | 9 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| David Pereira da Costa | M | 18 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| J. Pantemis | G | 90 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V. Janssen | F | 90 | 6.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3/3 |
| J. Fory | D | 90 | 5.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Sulte | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Waterman | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Bonetig | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andrew Guerra | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
St. Louis City
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Navarro | F | 89 | 8.6 | 2 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 1/5 |
| A. Mățan | M | 80 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1/2 |
| Jeong Sang-Bin | M | 65 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| R. Bürki | G | 90 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| C. Durkin | M | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| T. Baumgartl | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Downs | F | 1 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| C. Holse | F | 10 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Becher | F | 25 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Totland | M | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| F. Fall | D | 25 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Edelman | M | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. MacNaughton | D | 44 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| D. Polvara | D | 65 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| M. Joyner | M | 10 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Orozco | D | 46 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Rafael Santos | M | 80 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| B. Lundt | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Perez | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Ostrák | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |