The Portland Timbers resume CONCACAF Champions League play today when they visit Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa. Kickoff is at 7 p.mm. PDT and the game will be streamed through the CONCACAF Facebook page.
Saprissa leads Group B with four points from two matches with CD Dragon of El Salvador. The Timbers have three points from their home win last month over Dragon. Saprissa beat Dragon 6-0 at home and the teams played to a scoreless draw a week later.
A win or a draw would put Portland in good position to win the group and advance to the knockout phase of the tournament. The Timbers visit Dragon on Sept. 27 and host Saprissa on Oct. 19 to complete group play.
Coach Caleb Porter called this a crucial opportunity to gain the upper hand in the group. But he noted that Portland can advance with wins in its final two CONCACAF Champions League matches even with a loss at Saprissa.
The trip to Costa Rica comes between two critical home matches as the Timbers battle for a MLS playoff spot. After beating Real Salt Lake last Saturday, Portland remains in the sixth and last playoff spot, four points in front of Vancouver with five league matches to play. The Timbers host Philadelphia this Saturday. They play three of their final four MLS matches on the road.
Thorns host playoff match Oct. 2
The Portland Thorns will host a National Women’s Soccer League semifinal match at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Providence Park. The opponent is yet to be determined. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday through www.thornsfc.com, by calling 888-736-6849 or at the Providence Park box office. This will be the first time the Thorns have hosted a playoff match. The winner will advance to the NWSL championship match on Oct. 9 in Houston.
The Thorns conclude the regular season with a Sept. 25 match in New Jersey against Sky Blue FC.
Camas grad Richards honored for T2
Portland Timbers 2 defender Brent Richards was named to the United Soccer League Team of the Week for Week 25 of the season. The Camas High School graduate scored the only goal in Portland’s 1-0 win on Sept. 10 at Rio Grand Valley. It was the first goal of the season for Richards, who plays primarily at right back for T2.
T2 played Tuesday at Arizona United.
