On Wednesday night, the Timbers will aim to extend their unbeaten streak against a struggling Real Salt Lake.
The Portland Timbers will be looking to build on their recent upturn in form as they face off against Real Salt Lake at America First Field this Wednesday.
The Timbers, who currently sit in sixth place with 15 points from 12 matches, are coming off a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend. The win has extended their unbeaten streak to three matches (2-1-0) and placed Portland atop the 2023 Cascadia Cup standings. They will face an RSL side struggling in 11th place with just 11 points after 11 games.
Here are five key stats to know ahead of this crucial midweek matchup.
5
Over the last three games, Evander has been involved in five of the Timbers' seven goals, scoring three times and providing two assists. His recent dominance in the midfield—which earned him MLS Player of the Matchday honors for matchday 12—will be crucial for the Timbers as they continue their push higher in the standings. He's also the team's leading attacking threat, scoring four goals so far this season.
3-1
The last time these two teams met in MLS action, Real Salt Lake claimed a 3-1 victory over Portland at America First Field. And with last Wednesday's 4-3 win in Portland last Wednesday—knocking the Timbers out of the U.S. Open Cup—RSL has also won consecutive meetings with the Timbers for the first time since 2017, a streak the Timbers will look to nip in the bud.
18
In last Saturday's 3-1 victory over Vancouver, Portland scored two goals within the first 18 minutes of the game. This was the fastest the Timbers have scored twice in an MLS game (regular season or playoffs) since netting two goals within the first seven minutes of the 2015 MLS Cup Final at Columbus.
6
Real Salt Lake has been shut out in six of their 11 MLS games this season, including each of their last three matches. Still, RSL forward Rubio Rubín attempted five shots from inside the box last weekend against the Galaxy, while the rest of his teammates combined for only four such shots. His ability to create chances and find space in the box will be essential for RSL as they look to break their scoring drought.
7
Real Salt Lake have secured seven points (W2 D1 L3) from a possible 18 on offer in six MLS home contests this season. Portland will be keen to exploit this vulnerability and address their poor run of results away from Providence Park (1 draw, 4 losses, and just 1 win in league away contests).
350
Diego Chara recently made his 350th MLS regular-season appearance, becoming just the 20th player in league history to hit that milestone and only the fifth to play 350 matches with one club. The 37-year-old midfielder has played every minute for the Timbers this season (1,080).
