MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update: July 17, 2018

Published on July 17, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will play two matches in four days this week, first taking on Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, before playing host to the Montreal Impact in league play on Saturday. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), Wednesday's match will be broadcast live on www.timbers.com.

Beginning at 8 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday's match against Montreal will be broadcast live on FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Recent form

Heading into both matches, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last 14 games (10-0-4) across all competitions, including a 12-game unbeaten run in league play, which is the longest unbeaten streak in the league this season. Most recently, Portland is coming off a 0-0 away draw against LAFC in league play on Sunday, with the Timbers becoming the first team to hold LAFC scoreless at Banc of California in the draw. Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella tallied his fifth clean sheet in regular-season play in 2018 in the 0-0 draw, marking a career-high for the goalkeeper.

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Wednesday's game signifies Portland's 30th (16-13) match in the U.S. Open Cup since 2004 and its first against LAFC in the annual competition. The Timbers advanced to the quarterfinal for the third time as an MLS club in 2018 - previously qualifying for the quarterfinal in the 2013 and 2014 campaigns - after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 in the fourth round, before taking a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16. Three different players have scored for Portland so far in this year's competition, with forward Jeremy Ebobisse and midfielders Sebastián Blanco and Dairon Asprilla each finding the back of the net. Portland's most successful run in U.S. Open Cup play took place during the 2013 campaign, with the Timbers advancing to the semifinals before falling 2-1 to Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Aug. 7, 2013.

Facing LAFC

Wednesday's contest marks the third meeting between Portland and LAFC this season, with both teams previously meeting twice in league play. Following both of those matches, the Timbers are currently holding an unbeaten record (1-0-1) against LAFC, most recently battling the California-based club to a 0-0 draw at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday.

Scouting LAFC

LAFC enters Wednesday's match after defeating USL side Sacramento Republic FC 3-2 in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 on June 20 to advance to the quarterfinal in its first season in MLS. Prior to defeating Sacramento, LAFC took a 2-0 win over Fresno FC in U.S. Open Cup play on June 6. Forward Adama Diomande leads the team in goals scored (9), while midfielder Diego Rossi has the most assists (6) on the team.

Facing Montreal

Saturday's game marks the seventh all-time meeting in MLS between Portland and Montreal, and the only meeting between the two clubs in 2018. At Providence Park, the Timbers have an 0-1-1 record against the Impact, with their last home match against Montreal ending in a 1-1 draw on July 13, 2016. Midfielder Diego Valeri leads all Timbers players in goals scored (3) against Montreal.

Scouting Montreal

Sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, Montreal (9-12-0, 27pts) enters Saturday's match with five wins in its last six games. Most recently, the Impact are coming off a 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes on July 14. In 11 games played away from home to start the 2018 campaign, Montreal has produced a 2-9-0 record. Midfielder Ignacio Piatti leads the team in goals (10) and assists (8).

Next match

Following this week's matches, the Timbers will play host to the Houston Dynamo at Providence Park on Saturday, July 28. Beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific), the July 28 match will be broadcast live on ESPN with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30," hosted by Jake Zivin and Ross Smith, will offer inside access to the club and provide analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers in 30" features can be found at www.timbers.com. This week, "Timbers in 30" airs on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX 12 Oregon with Timbers forward Foster Langsdorf in studio.

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," airs every Wednesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 The Game. "Talk Timbers" provides team and league news as well as interviews with Timbers coaches and players during the season, and also features regular updates on T2 and Portland Thorns FC. Due to the Timbers' Open Cup game on July 18, Talk Timbers will resume on Wednesday, July 25. Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on the show on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com. Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.timbers.com/news/timbers-podcast-network.

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