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Portland Timbers

TIMBERS WEEKLY UPDATE: October 18, 2016

October 18, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a decisive 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, the Portland Timbers will play two matches in five days this week, first taking on Deportivo Saprissa on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in their final group-stage match of the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, before traveling to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Sunday, Oct. 23. The match against Saprissa will be live streamed in English on CONCACAF's Facebook page and tape-delayed on Univsion Deportes Network.

Heading into Wednesday's match, the Timbers (12-13-8, 44pts) are coming off a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at Providence Park on Sunday, Oct. 16. The win over the Rapids marked the Timbers' 12th MLS home win in 2016, and their 14th win at home in all competitions this season. Portland's 12 wins at Providence Park mark the most home wins in the club's MLS era, while also ranking as the second-most home wins in MLS this season, behind only the New York Red Bulls (13). Forward Fanendo Adi scored the Timbers lone goal in the win against Colorado, recording his 16th MLS goal and his 18th finish in all competitions this season, as Portland recorded its fifth consecutive MLS win at home.

Wednesday's match against Saprissa signifies the Timbers' second and final fixture against the Costa Rican club, with the two teams previously facing each other in San, Jose, Costa Rica, on Sept. 14. With a win against Saprissa, the Timbers (2-1-0, 6pts CCL), who currently sit one point behind Saprissa in the Group B standings with six points in three games played, will advance to the knockout round of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in team history.

Following Wednesday's match against Saprissa, the Timbers will conclude the 2016 MLS regular season with an away contest against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Sunday, Oct. 23. Beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Vancouver will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Currently tied with Sporting Kansas City for sixth place in the Western Conference standings, the Timbers will advance to the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the third time in four seasons with a win against Whitecaps FC. Additionally, the Timbers could potentially qualify for the playoffs with a draw or a loss against Vancouver (click here for a full breakdown of the playoff scenarios). As part of MLS "Decision Day," all 10 MLS games will kick off concurrently at 1 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday.

Sunday's match marks the third and final regular-season fixture between Portland and Vancouver in 2016, with the two teams splitting the previous two games. After falling 2-1 to Whitecaps FC in the opening match between the two teams, Portland took a 4-2 win over Vancouver at Providence Park on May 22 to extend its lead in the MLS series between the Cascadia rivals (7-3-6). With a win against Vancouver on Sunday, Portland will clinch its second Cascadia Cup title since joining MLS in 2011. Additionally, Portland would claim the Cascadia Cup with a draw, or a loss by two or fewer goals.

Whitecaps FC venture into Sunday's match winless in their last four games, with Vancouver's last win occurring on Sept. 10 when it produced a 3-1 victory against Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. At BC Place, Whitecaps FC are 5-5-6 in 2016, losing three of their last four matches at home. Forward Pedro Morales leads the team in goals (8), while midfielder Christian Bolanos leads the team in assists (7).

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