Match Storylines: Fire host defending champion Timbers targeting second straight win

After collecting three points against the Houston Dynamo Saturday, the Chicago Fire set out to make it back-to-back home wins against another Western Conference foe, welcoming defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers FC to Toyota Park in a match presented by UI Health. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT, with prematch coverage beginning at 7 p.m. on CSN Chicago. A Spanish-language simulcast of the game also will be available on CSN Chicago Plus. 

Just as Houston did last weekend, Portland arrives in Chicago winless on the road in 2016 (0-4-2) and eager to improve its positioning in the competitive Western Conference table. Below is a look at five storylines likely to factor in the Fire's ability to send the Timbers packing with the same result it dealt the Dynamo on Saturday: 

Second Run-In

On February 27 -- with the Timbers less than three months removed from raising MLS Cup and with the official start of a new season only one week away -- the Fire earned a confidence-boosting result with a 2-0 preseason win over Portland at Providence Park. Arturo Alvarez had a hand in two Chicago goals within a seven-minute span in the first half, while the organization and resolve of the Fire back line showed signs of what was to come in the regular season. Chicago recorded 12 shots in that final preseason tune-up, putting eight on frame, and will want to replicate that type of production Saturday night in their only 2016 regular-season meeting with Portland.

Opportunities Abound

In 2015, preparing to face the Timbers might have meant angling for a 1-0 win given Portland’s place among the league leaders in shutouts (T-1st, 13) and fewest goals allowed (T-3rd, 39). But this season has been a different story, with Portland standing in a four-way tie for most goals allowed (24) and without a clean sheet to its credit. Designated Player Liam Ridgewell and grizzled MLS veteran Nat Borchers provide a formidable centerback pairing, but the offseason departure of left back Jorge Villafaña to Liga MX and the extended absence of starting goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey (finger injury) have at times left Caleb Porter’s defensive unit exposed in 2016.

New Dimension

A comparatively vulnerable Timbers back line coupled with Chicago’s litany of chances created last time out vs. Houston is enough to encourage any observer, but aspirations increase with the expected return to the team of David Accam. After playing a game-and-a-half on the road in his return from two months on the shelf, Accam was forced into a spectator’s role once again Saturday while serving a one-game suspension handed down by the MLS Disciplinary Committee. Accam is now on track to play his first match at Toyota Park since March 6, when he notched a goal and an assist in the 4-3 loss to NYCFC, and will likely test opposing outside backs Zarek Valentin and Chris Klute.

Hitting Their Stride?

Portland has been looking to regain their 2015 form for several weeks and may have taken a big step in that direction last Sunday, defeating Cascadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC. In the absence of dominant striker Fanendo Adi, veteran Jack McInerney stepped up to draw an early penalty kick for the Timbers before delivering a tidy finish in the box for his fourth goal of the season. Designated Player Diego Valeri was typically sharp in the attack, Dairon Asprilla converted a PK for his first goal of 2016, and Darlington Nagbe gave arguably his best performance of the season and a sparkling free kick goal. But Nagbe reported for international duty the next day -- providing a second-half lift and game-winning goal for the U.S. in Wednesday night’s friendly vs. Ecuador -- and won’t be with the club in Bridgeview this weekend, while Adi is also due to miss another outing with his hamstring injury.

Break On a High Note

Like every club in MLS, the Fire would much prefer to enter the upcoming break for Copa America Centenario coming off a win, and, in Chicago’s case, the club’s first back-to-back victories in MLS since April 4 and April 24 of last season. But with Accam’s return and no key players pulled away for Copa America duty, the Fire are perhaps better positioned than most to deliver a momentum-building performance in the final match before the hiatus.

Last July, Chicago welcomed to Toyota Park a Seattle Sounders FC side that it never previously beaten (0-6-3) and produced a game-winning goal in stoppage time to vanquish those demons. On Saturday, another Pacific Northwest club with an unblemished record (4-0-2) against the Fire arrives in Bridgeview, and Chicago is keen to use the occasion to take its first three points off of the defending champion Timbers.

“We believe that winning the game against Houston will help us to come to this game with more confidence, better prepared, and that's something that we have to work on this week,” Paunovic said Tuesday. “We believe that it's a great moment for us to finish that first part of the season winning against a very good team and at least have a very good performance.”