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With the first Timbers home game today, remember parking is limited at Jeld Wen Field and it will be expensive.  You can park on the street at The Guild at 1101 E. Burnside Street for free, enjoy a beer and catch the Trimet #20 over in a flash.  Like every Timbers match, they’ll also show it on the big screen.

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By Will Conwell
GAME 4: Timbers (0-1-2) vs Chicago Fire (1-1-1)
Thursday, April 14, 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
Previous match-up(s): None

Coming off their first MLS point earned on the road against New England, the Timbers look to christen the renovated Jeld-Wen Field with a victory over the Fire. Chicago are coming off a loss in Seattle where they looked dangerous on offense but were exposed on defense. Portland is still struggling with injuries and will miss David Horst (ankle sprain) and Brian Umony (knee sprain).

However, the availability of talented, young winger Sal Zizzo and first round draft pick Darlington Nagbe will bring an added dimension to the Timbers attack. New designated player Diego Chara will not be available pending his international transfer certificate.

Chicago Fire on paper:
Starting eleven: ¬Â¨Sean Johnson, Jalil Anibaba, Dasan Robinson, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares, Logan Pause, Marco Pappa, Michael Videira, Patrick Nyarko, Gaston Puerari, Diego Chavez
Off the bench: John Conway, Dominic Oduro, Orr Barouch, Yamith Cuesta, Marko Maric, Dan Paladini, Davis Paul

STRATEGY
The Fire, coached by Mexican Carlos De Los Cobos, is the only team in MLS to line up in a 3-5-2 formation so far this season and will likely do so again against the Timbers. In their last match against Seattle, the Fire were exposed by the wing play of Steve Zakuani and the Timbers will certainly look to exploit this same weakness. Chicago's new Uruguayan tandem up front of Chavez and Puerari have so far combined for three goals and look good for many more, a fact that will worry a Timbers defense now missing fan-favorite David Horst.

PLAY ME
Eddie Johnson brings a workman-like attitude at striker and can play as a target forward, allowing the other Timbers attacking players to run off him. Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza are both more comfortable facing the goal and adding Johnson to the mix would give the Timbers more methods of attack.

PLAY ME LATER
Jorge Perlaza is fast and has a serious scoring touch that the Timbers are hoping he will rediscover sooner rather than later. The Timbers need to begin starting with Perlaza on the bench and using him as a substitute late in the game to match his breakneck speed up against tiring defenders.

LEADING GOAL SCORERS
Kenny Cooper – 1
Jack Jewsbury – 1

NEXT 5
4/17 vs FC Dallas
4/23 @ LA Galaxy
4/30 vs Real Salt Lake
5/2 vs San Jose Earthquakes (US Open Cup)
5/6 vs Philadelphia Union

BOTTOM LINE
Three points are within the Timbers grasp but it will take a solid defensive effort to slow the Chicago attack. Expect a loud crowd and an exciting game.

¬Å“We are the group that turns losses into draws and draws into wins.¬Â
-Dave Hoyt, President Timbers Army 107ist Supporters Trust

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Pipeline's Portland Timbers  coverage by:

Will Conwell

Will Conwell is an aspiring novelist who spends his free time unloading trucks in warehouses. His passions in life are soccer, beer, and writing, which he has found are best enjoyed in concert. Will can be contacted at william.conwell@gmail.com or on twitter at TimbersPipeline.