Match Preview: SKC’s Zero-Shot Anomaly Faces Portland’s Firepower

SKC’s Zero-Shot Anomaly Faces Portland’s Firepower

Heads up, Sporting fans! We’ve got another potentially fascinating Western Conference game on deck this Saturday, May 10th. Sporting Kansas City is making the trip to the Rose City to play the Portland Timbers at what’s usually a lively Providence Park.

This isn’t your typical weekend fixture, either. We’re talking about a team that just pulled off one of the strangest wins you’ll ever see in MLS, going up against a side eager to get back on track. Let’s dig into what makes this one worth watching!

A Tale of Two Very Different Seasons

Let’s set the stage. How have both sides been doing thus far in 2025?

Sporting Kansas City: Riding a Wave of… Zero Shots?

Sporting KC. What a strange season they’re having. It started rough, with five losses in the first six, leading to the end of Peter Vermes’ long 16-year tenure and assistant Kerry Zavagnin stepping in as interim. They were stuck in a tough winless streak that stretched back to last season, but under Zavagnin managed two wins from their next four games.

Then came the May 4th match against the LA Galaxy. SKC somehow managed a 1-0 win… without a single shot attempt! Astounding. I never thought I’d see the likes of it. An own goal handed them the lead, and they clung on for dear life, making MLS history in the process. Was it pure grit? A massive slice of luck? Who really knows, but it snapped the skid, so does it really matter?

Sporting is still sitting 12th in the West after 11 games, so a playoff appearance is still a distant dream, but those three points were… something else. Adding to their challenges, this trip to Portland is part of a tough stretch of away fixtures for Sporting KC, which will test their depth and resilience. Managing fatigue and travel will be another factor for Zavagnin to consider.

Portland Timbers: Rose City Rollercoaster

Up in Portland, things have been a bit more conventional, and a lot more positive. After a shaky 1-2-0 start, Phil Neville’s Timbers hit their stride with a seven-game unbeaten streak. That run included a solid 4-2 win at Sporting KC last month and another 4-2 win over the Galaxy in LA. They were looking good, especially in attack, even after trading star midfielder Evander in the preseason. Their offense was clicking, tying them for the most goals in the West before last weekend.

Of course, no season is without bumps. Last Saturday, they got a bit of a wake-up call, losing 4-1 to San Jose. Despite that, they’re in a decent playoff spot, 3rd in the West with 18 points from 11 games. They’re finding the back of the net regularly and have been playing like a team that will be part of the postseason picture.

Styles of Play: What to Expect on the Pitch

Okay, what can we say about how these two teams will approach the game?

Sporting Kansas City: An Identity in Flux

Under Vermes, SKC had a defined, if struggling, style: keep the ball, play progressive passes, and launch in crosses. The big challenge? Turning all that into goals was a constant struggle, and they often found themselves caught on the counter-attack.

Now with interim coach Kerry Zavagnin, there’s talk of evolution, flexibility, creativity, and shoring up the defense. We’ve seen glimpses of attacking desire and better organization, but consistency has been elusive. And then there’s the zero-shot win. Was that Zavagnin going full pragmatist – grab a lead and defend at all costs? He praised the team’s “grit and determination.” It definitely suggests SKC might be leaning into a more defense-first, absorb-pressure approach when needed. They usually line up in a 4-3-3, but their actual game plan this Saturday is a bit of a mystery. They seem like they might be caught between their old possession game and a potentially new, grittier identity?

If SKC does decide to get ambitious and attack, keep an eye on Dániel Sallói. The Hungarian homegrown talent is genuinely exciting when he’s on his game. He recently had that stellar Player of the Matchday performance (two goals, two assists vs. San Jose) and he’s been a reliable source of goals and assists over the years. Funnily enough, it was his cross that led to last week’s own goal. If SKC intends to score one themselves this time, Sallói’s spark will be essential.

Portland Timbers: Neville’s Attacking Philosophy

Phil Neville’s Timbers aren’t shy about going forward. Even after selling their key midfielder Evander, the game plan is clear: be aggressive and put pressure on the opponent. They put up 65 goals last season and have kept scoring this year, tied for the most in the West before that recent stumble.

What’s interesting is that this attacking success isn’t just down to one star; players like Antony, Felipe Mora, David Da Costa, and Kevin Kelsy have all contributed. It seems Neville’s system is all about sharing the load. They often line up in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, formations geared to get numbers into the attack. And while they can score, like Sporting, their defense can sometimes be a bit leaky.

Want to see Portland’s attack-first mindset in action? Watch Brazilian winger Antony. The 23-year-old is a handful on the wing. Prior to last week, he was tied for the team lead with four goals, but his real strength might be setting up teammates – he leads the team with six assists. He’s got technical dribbling skills, loves to carry the ball forward, and, importantly for Portland, he puts in a massive defensive shift too. He had three assists in that win against the Galaxy, so he’ll be a player Kansas City will want to keep out of the game as much as possible.

Past Meetings and Key On-Field Battles

What happens when these two teams meet, and where are the key individual battles to keep an eye on?

Recent Rendezvous: These two teams often serve up some entertaining games. Portland seems to like playing SKC lately, picking up that 4-2 win in Kansas City just last month. Before that, the Timbers won 2-1 at home (May 2024), and they had a wild 3-3 draw in KC (April 2024). Goals tend to be on the menu (this feels like a theme for this season). Portland has had a slight edge in recent results, but it’s usually a competitive fixture.

Key Individual Matchups:

SKC’s Manu Garcia vs. Portland’s David Da Costa: This is a classic #10 showdown. SKC brought in Spanish midfielder Manu Garcia as a Designated Player to be their playmaker, known for his passing. He’s up against Portland’s DP #10, David Da Costa, who was signed from France to fill Evander’s shoes. Da Costa is more of a direct dribbler (second in the league for progressive carries!) who likes to run at defenses. Garcia’s vision versus Da Costa’s directness will be a tactical matchup that could shape how both teams attack.

SKC’s Dejan Joveljić vs. Portland’s Center Backs: Sporting KC invested in LA Galaxy striker Dejan Joveljić, and the Serbian has been pretty clinical, especially at home (all five of his goals this season as of early May came at Children’s Mercy Park). He’s their go-to guy for goals. Trying to stop him will be Portland’s central defenders. Phil Neville has choices: the experienced Kamal Miller, veteran Dario Zuparic, or the improving Zac McGraw. Last season, the Araujo/Zuparic pairing was solid, but injuries and new faces mean that could change. Can Joveljić find a way through a Timbers backline that has looked vulnerable at times? Or will Portland’s defenders lock him down?

An Interesting “What If…”: Here’s a thought: what if the Timbers Army is in full voice from the start and Portland grabs an early goal? Providence Park can be an excruciating place to play when it’s rocking. We saw SKC dig in defensively at home last week after their fortunate goal. But can that same ‘bunker down’ mentality work on the road, in one of the league’s loudest stadiums, if they’re the ones conceding first? It’s an entirely different kind of pressure.

Beyond the Score: What Else to Look For

A few other subplots to keep an eye on:

Zavagnin’s road approach for SKC: How will they set up away from home? Will they try to be a bit more assertive with the ball, maybe a nod to the old Vermes style? Or will they sit back, stay organized, rely on that defensive grit from last week, and hope for a counter or some more luck? The first 15-20 minutes should give us a good idea of their intentions.

Will Kevin Kelsy shine again?: The 20-year-old Venezuelan striker for Portland made a name for himself in the last meeting, scoring twice. He’s a big, strong forward who knows where the goal is. If he gets significant minutes, can he cause problems for the SKC defense once again?

The Providence Park factor: It’s more than just a game there; it’s an experience. The Timbers Army is one of the best supporters’ groups around. The noise, the chants, the tifos – it all adds to the occasion. It’s always interesting to see how that kind of atmosphere influences the players and the game itself.

Keep an eye on set pieces: Dead balls could really matter here. Portland can be dangerous – Zac McGraw scored twice from corners in a cup game last year, and their set-piece crossing was spot on against the Galaxy recently. On the flip side, SKC conceded from a cross last time, didn’t complete any of their own set-piece crosses, and Coach Zavagnin has pointed to needing improvement there. This could be an area where Portland has a clear edge.

Weather outlook: Looks like good soccer weather in Portland on Saturday – cloudy, mild temps around 65° F, and a light breeze. No excuses there for either team.

So, What’s the Likely Outcome?

Alright, crystal ball time!

Portland’s attack, especially with the Timbers Army behind them at home, is usually pretty potent. SKC’s zero-shot win felt like… lightning in a bottle? Luck in a bottle? It’s hard to see that happening again, especially on the road. Both teams are navigating some injury concerns, with Portland perhaps having the worst of it. That said, the Timbers ability to score could well be the deciding factor given Kansas City’s relatively leaky defense. So, the big questions are: Will Sporting Kansas City actually try to shoot this Saturday? Can Antony keep up his assist streak? And will the Timbers maintain their defensive focus for the whole match?

The Call: Portland Timbers 2 – 1 Sporting KC

Portland is just incredibly tough to beat at Providence Park. Their attack, with Antony, Mora, Da Costa and others, has shown they can score in bunches. Remember when they put four past SKC just a few weeks back? Sunday’s zero-shot performance by SKC was such an outlier (home game, early gift of an own goal) that it’s hard to imagine them pulling off a similar defensive feat on the road. The energy from the Timbers Army will be a big plus for the home team too. SKC might get one – Sallói or Joveljić are certainly capable – but Portland’s offensive pressure, even with their own defensive concerns, should be enough for them to earn the win. Their loss to San Jose will also probably provide them with a bit of motivation. Definitely one to stay up for in any case.

So, what do you think? What will you be watching for? Let us know in the comment section below!