Timbers Match Day vs. Seattle FC

Sounders FC at Timbers

When/where: 1 p.m. today at Jeld-Wen Field.

TV: Live on ESPN (Comcast cable channels 35 and 735).

Radio: AM 750/FM 101 (AM 940 Spanish broadcast).

Records: Seattle is 8-4-8, third in the West. Portland is 5-8-3, eighth in the West.

Why to watch: It’s the hottest rivalry in Major League Soccer.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Portland Timbers

Forwards: Eddie Johnson, Jorge Perlaza.

Midfielders: Kalif Alhassan, Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe.

Defenders: Jeremy Hall, Eric Brunner, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Steve Purdy.

Goalkeeper: Troy Perkins.

Key alternatives: MF Sal Zizzo, F Kenny Cooper, MF Adam Moffat, MF Ryan Pore, MF James Marcelin, D Kevin Goldthwaite, D Rodney Wallace, GK Adin Brown.

Sounders FC

Forwards: Fredy Montero, Roger Levesque.

Midfielders: Alvaro Fernandez, Erik Friberg, Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso.

Defenders: Tyson Wahl, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Jeff Parke, James Riley.

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller.

THE MATCHUP

Settled Seattle: The Sounders FC are two years ahead of the Timbers in building their franchise, and that includes the roster. Seattle has demonstrated depth, succeeding despite key injuries to Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White. A playoff team in each of their first two seasons, the Sounders FC might make a run at the Supporters’ Shield as regular-season champions.

Key matchup: The battle in the middle of the park. Can Portland’s Diego Chara and Jack Jewsbury outplay (or at least match) the Seattle tandem of Osvaldo Alonso and Erik Friberg?

Spencer says: “I’ve been involved in a lot of derby (rivalry) games, and I know what it takes to win these games. I know that ability alone and tactics alone won’t win the game. It’s going to come down to courage and desire.”

NOTABLE

• Wallace available?: Portland left back Rodney Wallace (knee injury) might play, which Spencer said was a longshot early in the week.

• Keller’s farewell: Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller, a Lacey native who played at the University of Portland, plans to retire at the end of this season, so today likely is the last match in the Rose City for the former national team keeper.

• Injury report: Timbers — Out: F Spencer Thompson (knee); D Rodney Wallace (knee); Questionable: F Bright Dike (Achilles rupture); D David Horst (hip flexor); Probable: D Mamadou Danso (shoulder); D Jeremy Hall (groin); MF Adam Moffat (ankle sprain); MF Peter Lowry (quadriceps strain); GK Troy Perkins (hip). Sounders FC — Out: MF Steve Zakuani (leg fracture); Doubtful: F O’Brian White (leg surgery); Probable: MF Brad Evans (hamstring strain)

FAN GUIDE

Tickets: Sold out. Gates open: 90 minutes before kickoff.

Getting there: Parking is extremely limited near the stadium. MAX light rail runs extra trains on match days.

Radio: 750 AM has one-hour pregame and postgame shows.