MatchDay: Timbers at Sporting Kansas City

TIMBERS AT SPORTING KANSAS CITY

When/where: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Livestrong Sporting Park.

TV: Live on KPTV 12 (Comcast cable channels 12 and 712).

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

Records: Kansas City is 7-7-9, fourth in the East. Portland is 7-11-5, seventh in the West.

Why to watch: It’s Jack Jewsbury’s homecoming. Portland’s leader played eight seasons with Kansas City.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Portland Timbers

Forwards: Jorge Perlaza, Kenny Cooper.

Midfielders: Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Sal Zizzo.

Defenders: Rodney Wallace, Eric Brunner, David Horst, Mike Chabala.

Goalkeeper: Troy Perkins.

Key alternatives: MF James Marcelin, F Brian Umony, F Bright Dike, MF Peter Lowry, D Jeremy Hall, D Mamadou “Futty” Danso, GK Adin Brown.

Kansas City

Forwards: C.J. Sapong, Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara.

Midfielders: Roger Espinoza, Graham Zusi, Jeferson.

Defenders: Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Julio Cesar, Michael Harrington.

Goalkeeper: Jimmy Nielsen.

THE MATCHUP

The first time: C.J. Sapong and Aurelien Collin scored on July 2, and KC won 2-1 at Portland despite a spectacular goal by Timbers rookie Darlington Nagbe.

Playoff push: KC currently holds the final playoff spot with 30 points from 23 games. Portland is four points back, with two other teams also sitting at 30 points.

Palmer suspended: Lovel Palmer is suspended for this game for yellow card accumulation. Look for Rodney Wallace to return to the lineup as a result. Also, Jeremy Hall is with the team in KC to provide backline depth. Also suspended is KC top goal scorer Omar Bravo.

NOTABLE

• Stat leaders: KC, Omar Bravo 6 goals, Kei Kamara 6 goals; C.J. Sapong 4 assists, Graham 4 assists. Portland, Jack Jewsbury 7 goals; Jewsbury 6 assists.

• Injury report: Kansas City — Out: MF Davy Arnaud (sports hernia surgery); DF Aurelien Collin (back fracture); MF Craig Rocastle (knee sprain); MF Luke Sassano (knee sprain); DF Daneil Cyrus (foot fracture); MF Konrad Warzycha (knee surgery); Questionable: MF Jeferson (quad strain)… Timbers — Out: DF Kevin Goldthwaite (ACL rupture); FW Eddie Johnson (concussion); FW Spencer Thompson (knee); Questionable: MF Jack Jewsbury (hamstring strain); Probable: DF Jeremy Hall (groin soreness); GK Troy Perkins (hip soreness); DF Rodney Wallace (hamstring strain). Suspended — Timbers: Lovel Palmer (through Aug. 17). KC: Omar Bravo (through Aug. 17).