We Go Again

Ok, time to put 2023 behind us and move into 2024.  New coach, lots of new players, and the return of the Sam Dimes/Goal Bassett combination.  We get this season started in Portland tonight against an equally revamped Timbers squad, also with a new coach (and while Armas was not my top choice, I'd easily choose him over Neville).  Kickoff tonight is at 8:30 as the Apple TV returns with the standard 7:30 local kickoff times.  Unfortunately we have the commentary duo of Rogondino and Pearce and they were...not good last year with comments that made it clear they weren't tracking the team.  We'll see if they improve this year, or if Apple finally gets the road radio call synced up.

Availability Report:

OUT: D Daniel Chacon (ACL tear), KSB (Canada U-20s)

QUESTIONABLE: D Sam Vines (flu)

I won't list Chacon every week until he's close to returning and he's actually still here and not on loan somewhere.  Sam Vines missed the last preseason game in Orlando with the flu but sounded pretty good during his kickoff week PR appearances around town.  Portland has 3 players out and 2 more questionable, including Crepeau who's working on his green card process and may or may not be available tonight.

This is pretty close to our best XI.  Diack just arrived so I think Löffelsend gets the start over him this week, and Fernandez missed a couple of preseason games with a knock so I think Harris will step in for him this game.  Otherwise that is our starting XI this season if everyone is available.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Bassett.  Its really impossible to make any sort of accurate prediction going into the first game of the season where both teams have changed so much.  So this is really a gut feel that a draw seems likely but I don't see it being scoreless.  Lets get Goal Basset on the scoreboard early this season.