MatchDay: Timbers at Seattle Sounders FC

PORTLAND TIMBERS AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

When/where: 8 p.m. today at Qwest Field, Seattle.

TV: ESPN2 (Comcast cable ch. 36/736).

Radio: FM 95.5 (AM 940 Spanish broadcast).

Records: Portland has 4 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie for 13 points. Seattle also has 13 points, but has played two more games (3-3-4).

Why to watch: It’s Timbers vs. Sounders. A soccer rivalry that dates to 1975, and a much older rivalry between the cities, is rekindled.

POTENTIAL LINEUPS

TIMBERS

Forwards: Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza.

Midfielders: Kalif Alhassan, Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chará, Darlington Nagbe.

Defenders: Rodney Wallace, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Eric Brunner, Jeremy Hall.

Goalkeeper: Troy Perkins.

Key alternatives: MF James Marcelin, MF Adam Moffat, MF Ryan Pore, MF Sal Zizzo, D Kevin Goldthwaite, D Steve Purdy, D David Horst, GK Adin Brown.

SOUNDERS

Forwards: Roger Levesque, Freddy Montero.

Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez.

Defenders: Leo Gonzalez, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, James Riley.

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller.

Key alternatives: F Brad Evans, F Nate Jaqua, F Pat Noonan, MF Mauro Rosales, D Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

ABOUT SEATTLE

The Sounders are in their third MLS season and have led the league in attendance since joining. Head coach Sigi Schmid is one of the most successful in MLS history, having guided the L.A. Galaxy and the Columbus Crew to MLS Cup titles. Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen and comedian Drew Carey are among the team’s minority owners.

THE MATCHUP

Watch for: Portland is winless on the road, and slow starts are a big reason. If Seattle gets an early goal, it could turn into a party for the 36,000 Sounders FC faithful. The Timbers are hoping to build on two consecutive shutouts in MLS, both at home. Both teams are dangerous on the flanks and have strikers who will shoot from distance.

Coach John Spencer says: “You give (the Sounders) time and space to play, it could be a long (night) for us. But if you go with the intensity and the commitment that we’ve had here (at home), then they’re going to find us difficult to break down and difficult to handle.”

Players to watch: Forward Freddy Montero is a threat from anywhere in the attacking third for Seattle. He is counted on more with dynamic wing Steve Zakuani (broken leg), and forward O’Brian White (leg surgery) on the injured list.

NOTABLE

• The Timbers and Sounder reserve teams meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Starfire Complex in Tukwila. The under-23 Timbers play Washington Crosfire in a PDL match at 6 p.m. Sunday at Redmond High School.

• Injury report: SOUNDERS FC — Out: FW O’Brian White (leg surgery); MF Steve Zakuani (leg fracture); Questionable: MF Mauro Rosales (hamstring strain). TIMBERS — Out: FW Bright Dike (Achilles rupture); FW Eddie Johnson (Achilles tendinitis); FW Brian Umony (knee MCL sprain).