It's the final meeting of the regular season between the long-standing rivals and never has there been more on the line in a regular season match than on Sunday at JELD-WEN Field.
Sounders FC @ Portland Timbers
October 11, 2013, 6 pm PT; JELD-WEN Field
TV/Radio: ESPN; 97.3 KIRO radio; La Gran D 99.3 FM (Spanish)
Portland’s Record: The Timbers are third in the West at 12-5-14 (50 points) and 10-1-4 at home, going unbeaten in their last 13 matches at JELD-WEN Field.
All-Time Series: Sounders FC is 3-1-3 against the Timbers in MLS play since Portland joined the league in 2011. Across all competitions dating back to 1975 in the North American Soccer League, Seattle holds a distinct edge at 42-28-11.
Injury Report: Sounders FC – OUT: GK Josh Ford (R patella fracture); F Eddie Johnson (groin strain). QUESTIONABLE: F Will Bates (R knee injury); D Leo Gonzalez (L hip injury); M Shalrie Joseph (R knee sprain). Timbers – OUT: D Ryan Miller (L tibia stress fracture); F Brent Richards (ACL surgery); D Mikael Silvestre (ACL surgery); D Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: M Darlington Nagbe (tibial bone bruise); F Frederic Piquionne (L ankle sprain); M Diego Valeri (adductor strain).
Key player: Newly acquired forward Maximiliano Urruti has provided a spark in the attack since coming over from Argentina by way of Toronto FC last month. With Diego Valeri limited to just two starts in the last five matches, Urruti has softened the blow of losing the team’s top playmaker in his four appearances. Though he has just one goal, he is a strong threat with the ball and sets up his teammates well as the center forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation employed by Caleb Porter.
Notes: Seattle midfielder Brad Evans and forward Eddie Johnson were both called in to the U.S. National Team, though Johnson is out with a groin strain, and will miss the match against the Timbers. Portland will be without Ryan Johnson and Alvas Powell (Jamaica) and Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica). … Sounders FC’s 4-1 loss to Vancouver on Wednesday ended a 14-match home unbeaten streak. Portland is on a 13-match home unbeaten streak at 10-0-3. … Sounders FC can clinch the Cascadia Cup with a win. In a loss or a draw, Vancouver would win the trophy for the first time in the MLS era. Seattle is second in the standings with seven points (2-2-1), while Vancouver is first with nine points (2-1-3). The Timbers (0-1-4) have been eliminated from contention for the supporter-created trophy. … Seattle defender Zach Scott will miss the match while serving a suspension for his red card and yellow card accumulation last Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.
