Timbers MatchDay: FC Dallas at Timbers

FC Dallas at Timbers

When/where: 3 p.m. today at Jeld-Wen Field, Portland.

TV: Live on Root Sports (Comcast cable Ch. 34, 734).

Radio: FM 95.5 (AM 940 Spanish broadcast).

Records: Both clubs are 1-2-1 with four points through four games.

Why to watch: To see if the Timbers can maintain the magic that produced four goals on Thursday, and to see if they can handle 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira.

PROJECTED TIMBERS STARTERS

Forwards: Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza.

Midfielders: Kalif Alhassan, Jack Jewsbury, James Marcelin, Jeremy Hall.

Defenders: Rodney Wallace, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Eric Brunner, Steve Purdy.

Goalkeeper: Jake Gleeson.

Key alternatives: MF/F Darlington Nagbe, F Eddie Johnson, MF Adam Moffat, MF Ryan Pore, MF Sal Zizzo, D Kevin Goldthwaite.

ABOUT DALLAS

One of the original 10 MLS franchises, the team was the Dallas Burn until it was rebranded as FC Dallas in 2005. Lost to Colorado in the 2010 MLS Cup, Dallas’ first appearance in the league final.

THE MATCHUP

Watch for: With five midfield players, Dallas can be effective possessing the ball. Will Portland, which plays a 4-4-2 formation, be able to go forward with the same commitment and effectiveness it showed in Thursday’s triumph?

Fatigue factor? Portland and Dallas are both coming off emotional wins. But Dallas’ was a week ago, Portland’s on Thursday. Timbers head coach John Spencer said that’s life in pro soccer. “Of course it’s not ideal, Thursday-Sunday, but if you look at the top players in Europe they play EPL on a Saturday then play Champions League on a Wednesday,” Spencer said. “So (if) you want to be a big-time player you’re going to have to play in a lot of games and be successful in the games.”

Player to watch: F/MF David Ferreira. The Colombian midfielder was the MLS MVP in 2010, when he had eight goals and 13 assists for a Dallas team that lost to Colorado in the MLS Cup final. He is also the reigning MLS player of the week for his two goals in last weekend’s 3-0 home win over Colorado.

NOTABLE

• Timbers forward Kenny Cooper is a Dallas native who scored 40 goals in 90 games with Dallas before moving to Germany in 2009. His father, Kenny Cooper, Sr., played for the Dallas Tornadoes in the NASL. The junior Cooper says that doesn’t make this match any different: “Certainly I have some former teammates and former friends there, and a lot of great relationships, but I’m excited for this game like I am for any other one.”

• Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins on Saturday participated in full training with the team for the first time since suffering a preseason knee injury. He is listed as doubtful for today’s match.

• Injury report: Timbers — Out: FW Bright Dike (R Achilles rupture); FW Brian Umony (R knee MCL sprain); GK Adin Brown (hamstring strain); Doubtful: MF Peter Lowry (R knee MCL strain); DF David Horst (R ankle sprain); GK Troy Perkins (R knee sprain) … Dallas – Out: DF Kyle Davies (L ankle surgery recovery); DF Edson Edward (R knee ACL tear); Probable: MF Marvin Chavez (concussion; head laceration).

FAN GUIDE

Tickets: Limited tickets remained Saturday. Available through Ticketmaster outlets or at Jeld-Wen Field.

Gates open: 90 minutes before kickoff for most fans.

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

Radio coverage: 95.5 FM has one-hour pregame and postgame shows.

More information: www.portlandtimbers.com.