Timbers at Toronto FC
Kickoff: 10 a.m. Saturday at BMO Field.
TV: ROOT Sports.
Radio: AM 750.
Timbers (9-8-12, 39 points) — Unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions (four wins, two draws) the Timbers will try to continue their surge on their final trip East. So far, Portland has two wins and two draws in visits to Eastern teams. Portland is looking to maintain its hold on fifth place in the West, a position claimed last weekend with a 3-0 win over sixth-place Vancouver. Forward Steve Zakuani (groin strain) and midfielder Kalif Alhassan (muscle strain) are out.
Toronto FC (10-11-7, 37 points) — Toronto is as hungry for a win as the Timbers, sitting only three points back of fifth place in the East despite an inconsistent season that has included a coaching change. TFC recently went three games without a goal and six weeks between wins, but earned a tie at Chicago (a game it probably deserved to win but a late goal was disallowed) then won 3-0 over Chivas — the team that has made most of its opponents look good. Jermaine Defoe, Toronto’s top scorer with 11 goals, returned to training this week. He has missed more than a month with an adductor injury. Some reports say he could be available against Portland, though Toronto’s Oct. 4 match against the L.A. Galaxy seems a more likely return. Toronto will be without midfielder Jackson because of a red card against Chivas.
