The Portland Timbers, fresh from their dramatic penalty kick shootout victory in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs over Sporting Kansas City, now turn their attention to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals.
We reached out to MLSsoccer.com Whitecaps beat writer Michael McColl to get a look into the Timbers' next opponent.
Q: With a bye in hand, what has been Vancouver’s sense of momentum heading into the conference semifinals?
Michael McColl: "Hard to call winning one game momentum but the last day of the season win over Houston broke a five game winless streak and has given a huge boost to the confidence of the whole camp. They want to ride it going into the playoffs and have said they're not looking back at the games before the Dynamo win. The momentum they're taking from the overall season, the 'Caps best ever in MLS, is more their focus. The biggest boost from the bye in hand has been the extra time it has given to get important players healthy."
Q: What would you say are Vancouver's key players to watch for and why?
MM: "In the second half of the season, Cristian Techera is the man that has been making the 'Caps tick. With 7 goals and 5 assists on the season, the diminutive Uruguayan has been the main producer in Vancouver attack and can play any of the front four positions. Kekuta Manneh had been a little bit off his game but is looking sharp and back to his best for the playoffs. At the other end of the park, it's going to take something special to get past Kendall Waston. If someone manages to do that, then they still have to get past David Ousted, who's just recorded 13 clean sheets for the second straight season."
Q: There's a great deal of Cascadia history between these two teams, what’s the feeling in Vancouver?
MM: "Familiarity may breed contempt, as the old saying goes, but there's nothing like a Cascadian derby to get the juices going. Long time fans feel a bigger rivalry with Portland over Seattle, after some intense playoff battles in the D2 era. Getting a Cascadian team in the playoffs has certainly added to the excitement in the Vancouver, particularly with the opportunity for more fans to travel to the away game. With previous games being feisty, there is a feeling that this one might explode on the pitch. Having all three Cascadian teams in the final four in the West is great for building the rivalry in the region even more."
