Whitecaps at Timbers
Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park.
TV: NBC Sports Network.
Radio: AM 750.
Tickets: timbers.com or 503-553-5555.
Timbers (8-8-12, 36 points) — Portland and Vancouver look like the two teams that will scramble for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, making this match significant should either team win. A Timbers win would move them two points ahead of the Whitecaps. A ‘Caps victory would leave Portland four points back with five matches left. Portland won 3-0 at Vancouver on Aug. 30. Vancouver won 4-3 at Portland on June 1. Portland played a CONCACAF Champions League match on Tuesday, but coach Caleb Porter did not use any of his likely starters on defense (including goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts). Midfielder Kalif Alhassan (muscle strain) is the only Timbers player listed as out.
Whitecaps (8-7-13, 37 points) — When Vancouver won 4-3 in Portland on June 1, it was the first win for the Whitecaps over the Timbers since both clubs entered the league in 2011. It was also indicative of how dangerous Vancouver’s speedy forwards can be, as speed created two first-half penalty kicks that Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales converted. Morales leads Vancouver with eight goals and 10 assists. He had a goal and an assist in a Sept. 10 win over San Jose, the only victory in the past six games for Vancouver (two draws, three losses) Prior to the win at San Jose, the Whitecaps went four games without a goal. They scored one in last weekend’s loss at Dallas. Vancouver can move to the top of the Cascadia Cup standings. With Portland eliminated, that trophy will be decided on Oct. 10 when the Whitecaps visit Seattle.
