Timbers at Sounders
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. today at Starfire Stadium, Tukwila.
Webcast: ussoccer.com on YouTube.
At stake: This is a fourth-round match in the annual national championship tournament, which the Sounders have won four of the last six years. Tuesday’s winner will face the San Jose Earthquakes or the Sacramento Republic in the next round.
Timbers notes: Portland is on a three-game MLS win streak and has the benefit of a weekend off from league play. Timbers coach Caleb Porter said this match is a priority for his squad, so look for many first-team regulars in the lineup. It seems unlikely that Diego Valeri will be one of those, however. Valeri has missed the last three-plus matches with an ankle injury. He has trained and could be available, but the worn turf at Starfire and the intensity of this rivalry might make Saturday’s home match against Houston a better time for Valeri’s return. Team captain Will Johnson is with Canada’s national team for today’s World Cup qualifier against Dominica in Toronto. Portland has allowed only 14 goals through 15 MLS games, third fewest in the league. Seattle (11 allowed) has the league’s top defense.
