It's time to have the weather discussion.
Current forecast from the
National Weather Service has the following conditions at kickoff:
- 46 degrees, wind chill 39
- rain between 3/4" and 1" over the day
- winds of 23 mph, gusting to 33
In short, a mess.
So, whom does this favor?*
I think the two biggest potential factors are the combination of rain/turf and wind.
The rain could be pretty heavy. I have heard Portland's artificial surface is about the best there is for the fake stuff, but I don't know how well it deals with rain and how that will affect how the ball moves on it - e.g. whether it will be more prone to skipping quickly across wet turf. I do think Portland will be more familiar with how it plays.
The wind could be an even bigger factor. Portland's stadium, however is fairly vertical and well enclosed, so perhaps that will block its worst effects. The winds are supposed to be out of the south-southwest, or basically straight from the goal on the athletic club end. There are openings on either side that could allow the wind to get in and swirl around. In the end, I think this is a push - a random element that might impact either team on long balls & switches.
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* - other than the fans who have elected to watch from home