TIMBERS AT COLUMBUS
When/where: 5 p.m. today at Crew Stadium.
TV: Live on KPTV 12.
Radio: AM 750/FM 101 (AM 940 Spanish broadcast).
Records: Portland is 6-9-3, including a 1-5-2 mark on the road; Columbus is 7-6-7, including 5-1-4 at home.
Why to watch: The Timbers are eighth in the nine-team Western Conference, but still are in playoff contention.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Portland Timbers
Forwards: Jorge Perlaza, Kalif Alhassan, Darlington Nagbe.
Midfielders: Diego Chara, James Marcelin, Jack Jewsbury.
Defenders: Steve Purdy, Eric Brunner, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Rodney Wallace.
Goalkeeper: Troy Perkins.
Key alternatives: MF Sal Zizzo, F Kenny Cooper, F Eddie Johnson, MF Adam Moffat, MF Ryan Pore, D David Horst, D Jeremy Hall, GK Adin Brown.
Columbus Crew
Forward: Andres Mendoza.
Midfielders: Eddie Gaven, Bernardo Anor, Emmanuel Ekpo, Robbie Rogers.
Defenders: Sebastian Miranda, Chad Marshall, Julius James, Josh Gardner, Eric Gehrig.
Goalkeeper: William Hesmer.
Key alternatives: MF Jeff Cunningham, MF Justin Mram, F Tommy Heinemann.
THE MATCHUP
The first time: Eric Brunner’s goal against his former team netted the Timbers a 1-0 home victory on May 21. That was Portland’s last league win before a 1-0 triumph last Saturday at Chicago.