Timbers MatchDay: at Houston

Timbers at Houston

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

TV / radio: KPTV 12 / AM 750.

Timbers match notes: The Timbers (3-3-4, 13 points) and Dynamo (3-4-4) are tied with 13 points in a tight Western Conference that has four teams entering the weekend on 14 points. This is only the sixth meeting between the Dynamo and Timbers (one Portland win, two Houston wins and two draws), but the series figures to heat up with Houston back in the Western Conference this season. … Portland shoots for a second consecutive win and its third road win of the season. … Diego Valeri scored in his first start of the season in last week’s 2-1 win at Montreal, a first-time curler that was voted the MLS goal of the week by fans. … With his goal last week, defender Nat Borchers is now second on the Timbers with two goals (on four shots) this season. Fanendo Adi’s three goals lead the Timbers. The Timbers have conceded nine goals through 10 games, ranking third best defensively in MLS.

Dynamo match notes: Houston has conceded a Western Conference worst 14 goals through 11 games, but is coming off of a 2-1 win at Toronto FC. In that match, former Timber David Horst started at center back for the first time in a month, while offseason addition Raul Rodriguez shifted to right back. … Houston is 2-3-2 at home and has lost two in a row at home. Given that it plays six of its next eight away, this match is plenty significant for Houston. Giles Barnes leads the Dynamo with five goals …Midfielder Brad Davis, who missed the Toronto match with an injury, leads Houston with three assists. Former U.S. national team player DaMarcus Beasley has started all 11 games at left back for the Dynamo. Portland has never won at Houston (2 draws, 1 loss). This is their only visit to Houston in the regular season. The Dynamo are scheduled to play twice in Portland.

Viewing parties: The Timbers Army Northern Alliance viewing party will be at Northwest Liquid Gold, 11202 N.E. Fourth Plain. The Timbers official viewing party (21 and older) will be at The Station, 2703 NE Alberta St. in Portland.

Other soccer

Thorns visit Boston: The Portland Thorns visit the Boston Breakers at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Thorns are 2-0-2, third in the NWSL. The Breakers are 1-3, last in the nine-team league. The Thorns beat Boston 4-1 in Portland earlier this season. Forward Ayo Anonma joined the Thorns this week at the conclusion of the season in Germany. Boston is not impacted as much as most teams by World Cup absences, missing only goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who is with the U.S women’s national team. Live webstreams of all Thorns matches are available at portlandthornsfc.com.

T2 visits Utah: Timbers 2 plays Real Monarchs at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, at 6 p.m. Saturday. Portland (3-3-1, 10 points) has a win and a draw against the Monarchs (1-5-2, 5 points) this season. A live webstream is available at Timbers2.com. From Utah, T2 will travel to Pontiac, Mich., for a Tuesday match in the U.S. Open Cup tournament against the Michigan Bucks.

Victory FC at Spokane: Vancouver Victory FC, on top of the EPL Washington standings at 3-0, plays defending champion Spokane Shadow (2-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Spokane Falls Community College.