MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on May 10, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will return to Providence Park this weekend when the team plays host to Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC, marking the 100th meeting between the two clubs across all eras (since 1975). Beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific), Sunday's match will be televised nationally on ESPN with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Facing Sounders FC

Sunday's match signifies the 100th meeting between Portland and Seattle across all competitions, dating back to 1975. The Timbers and Seattle will face each other two additional times this season, with both teams set to meet in Seattle on June 30, before closing out the 2018 regular-season series at Providence Park on Aug. 26. Due to an unbalanced schedule, Sunday's match will not be considered toward the awarding of the 2018 Cascadia Cup. While facing Sounders FC at Providence Park in MLS play, the Timbers have produced a strong 6-2-3 record against their Cascadia rival. Heading into Sunday's game, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last four home games (3-0-1) against Seattle, dating back to Aug. 24, 2014. During that stretch, Portland has outscored Sounders FC 13-6 at Providence Park. Forward Fanendo Adi leads all Timbers with eight goals against Seattle in 10 regular-season matches, which ranks as the most by any Timbers player against any single opponent in MLS play and the most of any Portland player against Sounders FC across all eras of the club (since 1975).

Recent form

Heading into Sunday's match, the Timbers (3-3-2, 11pts) have recorded three straight wins in league play, including back-to-back clean-sheet victories. Most recently, the Timbers produced a 1-0 away win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 5, when midfielder Diego Valeri scored a curling free kick in the 88th minute of play. With the finish, Valeri recorded his fourth goal of the season, which ranks tied as the most on the team with midfielder Sebastián Blanco.

High-scoring contests

Since resuming their Cascadia rivalry when the Timbers entered MLS in 2011, Portland and Seattle have combined for 65 goals in the regular-season series between the two clubs over the last seven campaigns in MLS play. Only one MLS head-to-head, regular-season series has seen more goals scored since 2011, with Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy ranking as the only fixture to combine for more finishes during that stretch.

Scouting Sounders FC

Sounders FC (2-4-2, 8pts) enter Sunday's match after playing a midweek away fixture on Wednesday, defeating Toronto FC 2-1 at BMO Field behind goals from forward Will Bruin and midfielder Handwalla Bwana to tally their second win of the season. With the result, Sounders FC are unbeaten in their last two matches, previously drawing 10-man Columbus Crew SC 0-0 in Seattle on May 5. Prior to the Toronto result, Seattle dropped points in a 3-0 away loss to FC Dallas on March 18, a 2-2 draw at Sporting Kansas City on April 15 and a 1-0 away loss to Los Angeles FC on April 29. Bruin leads the team in goals scored (3), while midfielder Cristian Roldan has the most assists on the team (3).

Next match

Following Sunday's match, the Timbers will continue their homestand when the team plays host to 2018 expansion club Los Angeles FC at Providence Park on Saturday, May 19. Beginning at 12 noon (Pacific), the match against LAFC will be broadcast live on FOX 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, Ross Smith and Samantha Yarock, 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 head coach Giovanni Savarese 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 head coach Giovanni Savarese and Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell.

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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