MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update: May 31, 2018

Published on May 31, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will return to Providence Park this weekend to play host to the LA Galaxy on Saturday, June 2. Beginning at 2 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday's match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Home form

Despite playing their first five games of the 2018 season away from home, the Timbers still maintain one of the strongest home records in MLS since the start of the 2016 season. During that stretch, Portland has recorded 27 wins (27-5-6) at home, which ranks as the most in the league, despite playing fewer games than MLS teams ranked in the top five for home wins during that span. Additionally, the Timbers have won 10 straight games at Providence Park, dating back to the 2017 season. The streak is the second-longest home-winning streak in MLS history. Portland is one of just two teams (San Jose Earthquakes - 12 games, 2001-02) in league history to register a double-digit home-winning streak.

Milestone watch

With a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids, the Timbers (6-3-2, 20pts) have recorded six straight wins in league play, dating back to April 14, which is the longest winning streak in the club's MLS history. With a win in Saturday's match against the Galaxy, the Timbers would match the MLS record for consecutive wins (7) in a single season since the league began recording draws in 2000. Additionally, with his next appearance, midfielder Diego Chara, who has made 214 appearances in eight seasons with the Timbers, will record the most appearances in club history across all eras (since 1975).

Facing the Galaxy

Saturday's match marks the 20th regular-season meeting between the Timbers and the Galaxy since 2011 and the second between the two teams in the 2018 season. In the previous match between Portland and the Galaxy on March 4, the Galaxy took a 2-1 win over the Timbers at the StubHub Center, with midfielder Sebastián Blanco scoring Portland's first goal of the season. While facing the Galaxy at Providence Park, the Timbers hold a 4-2-2 record against the California-based club. In the last meeting between the two teams at Providence Park, the Timbers took a 3-1 win over the Galaxy on Aug. 6, 2017.

Scouting the Galaxy

The Galaxy (5-7-1, 16pts) enter Saturday's match after playing a midweek fixture against FC Dallas on Wednesday night, with the California-based club falling 3-2 at the StubHub Center. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals for the Galaxy in the loss, as FC Dallas managed to snap a two-game winning streak for the Galaxy. Prior to the result against FC Dallas, the Galaxy secured a 1-0 win against the Montreal Impact on May 21, before defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on May 25. Ibrahimovic and forward Ola Kamara are tied for the most goals on the team (5).

Next match

Following Saturday's match, the Timbers will play host to the San Jose Earthquakes in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Providence Park on Wednesday, June 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets for the U.S. Open Cup match at Providence Park are included as part of Timbers Annual Memberships. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.timbers.com, by calling (888) 736-6849 and at the Providence Park box office.

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 midfielder Cristhian Paredes 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. This week's guests included Timbers video analyst Shannon Murray and T2 head coach Cameron Knowles.

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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