The Seattle Sounders are hosting the Portland Timbers on Saturday in the rivals’ only regular-season match in Seattle this year. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The game will be televised on Fox and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The game will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2018 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 3-8-3 (12 points, 10th West), Timbers: 6-3-5 (23 points, 5th West).
FORM GUIDE (Most recent first): Seattle: DLWLL, Portland: DDDWW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 9-6-6 all time against the Timbers in the MLS regular season, including a 7-0-3 record at home.
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders fell 1-0 at Providence Park on May 13, 2018, behind an 86th-minute goal from Sebastián Blanco.
PREVIOUS HOME MEETING: The Sounders and Timbers drew 1-1 at CenturyLink Field last August as Cristian Roldan and Diego Valeri traded first-half goals.
DEUCE ON THE BOARD: Clint Dempsey scored his first goal of the 2018 season last weekend against the Chicago Fire. He’ll look to continue his streak as a Timbers killer and score his 10th career goal against Portland.
FREI RECOVERING: On the last play of the match against the Fire, goalkeeper Stefan Frei collided with forward Alan Gordon. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said on Tuesday that Frei was in the concussion protocol and would have more information concerning his status for Saturday later in the week.
HOME DOMINANCE: The Sounders have never lost at home to the Timbers in the regular season. Portland has only mustered five goals in 10 matches in Seattle.
Cristian Roldan celebrates his goal against the Portland Timbers in August 2017 | Dan Poss
ROLDAN STREAK: Cristian Roldan has scored in three straight home matches against the Timbers dating back to 2016.
WORLD CUP ACTION: The Sounders and Timbers will each be without two players on Saturday, as the 2018 FIFA World Cup continues in Russia. Sounders defender Román Torres and Panama have been eliminated, while midfielder Gustav Svensson and Sweden advanced to the Knockout Round on Wednesday morning. Portland midfielder David Guzmán and Costa Rica have been eliminated, as have midfielder Andy Polo and Peru.
UNBEATEN STREAK: The Timbers enter Saturday on an 11-match unbeaten in all competitions. Portland’s last loss came on April 8.
DOMINANT DIEGO: Portland’s attack still runs through Diego Valeri, as he leads the team in goals (6) and is tied for the lead in assists (3).
