The Seattle Sounders host the Portland Timbers on Sunday in the second meeting between the two sides of the 2020 MLS regular season. Here is everything you need to know.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and Prime Video.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2020 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 4-1-3(15 points, 2nd West), Timbers: 3-3-2 (11 points, 6th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: DWWLW, Portland: LDLWW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 12-8-6 all-time against the Timbers in MLS regular season play, including a 7-2-3 mark at home.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle faced off the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in the first match following the MLS is Back Tournament. Looking to rectify a disappointing showing in Orlando, the Sounders weathered a few chances from Portland in the first half before exploding for three goals after the break. Striker Raúl RuidÃaz bagged a brace – the first of his two goals was a truly stunning first-time finish – while Kelvin Leerdam iced the match late as the Sounders secured a 3-0 win.
PRIME VIDEO: Sunday’s match marks the first occasion in which supporters can watch a home game on Prime Video, the official video streaming partner of Sounders FC. All regionally televised matches are available to stream in Prime Video for every resident in the state of Washington.
UNBEATEN RUN: Since the regular season resumed following the MLS is Back Tournament, the Sounders have posted a 2-0-1 record, collecting seven points and catapulting up the Western Conference standings.
TALE OF TWO CITIES: The Timbers, on the other hand, have struggled since winning the MLS is Back Tournament, picking up just a single point from three matches and conceding 10 goals in the process.
NEW-LOOK SOUNDERS: In Seattle’s 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake, the Sounders rolled out a new 3-4-2-1 formation in an attempt to press the opposing outside backs and contain the hosts’ attacking midfielders. That tactical flexibility will pay off as the Rave Green navigate a congested schedule.
LODEIRO LOCKED IN: Speaking of the match against RSL, captain Nicolás Lodeiro handed the Sounders a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute with a successful penalty kick. Since he joined MLS midway through 2016, the Uruguayan midfield maestro has converted all 12 of his regular-season PK attempts.
REVERSE THE TREND: Despite holding the accolade of back-to-back Cascadia Cup reigning champions, the Sounders haven’t beaten the Timbers in a regular-season fixture at CenturyLink Field since a 1-0 win back on May 27, 2017.
