Portland Timbers vs Orlando City SC - MLS Picks & Predictions

Following 50 matches that have spanned the entire month of July and into August, the MLS is Back Tournament will have its final on Tuesday when the Portland Timbers take on the Orlando City SC from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Portland possesses plenty of experience with seven or more of its starting 11 having played in the MLS Cup of 2018. The Timbers have two of the best players at their specific positions Diego Chara and Diego Valeri.

Portland lost the MLS Cup in 2018, but a few of the players experienced the MLS Cup 2015 victory. The club has shown resolve, concentration and a great deal of patience and held off furious comebacks by Philadelphia and FC Cincinnati while pulling off one of their own comebacks in the quarterfinal victory over New York City FC. The Portland star during this tournament has been Sebastian Blanco. The Argentine midfielder has been an assist machine and scored the winning goal versus Philadelphia in the semifinal.

Orlando City SC has not been very successful since joining the MLS after a very successful stint in USL. The Lions have never reached the MLS playoff in any of the previous seasons they have played at the top flight level. However, the club hired Oscar Pareja as the new manager and things began to change.Pareja brought energy and passion that proved to be successful with Colorado and Dallas prior to joining Orlando.

Having an excellent manager on the sideline will not be successful without top players on the pitch.Orlando City has that and veterans such as midfielder Mauricio Pereyra and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The two have gelled nicely with young players from the US such as Benji Michel and Chris Mueller to form a solid 11. Orlando City's high-profile star is Nani. The 33 year-old Portuguese International has shown leadership and skill that have helped lead Orlando into the final on Tuesday.