Portland Timbers vs. Alpha United
2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League
September 23 | 7 pm PT | Providence Park
TV: Fox Sports 1, UDN
TICKETS
The Portland Timbers can take sole possession of first place in Group 5 with a win Tuesday night over last-place Alpha United. Portland wrested control over the group with a 4-2 home win over Honduran champion Olimpia last week. Olimpia and the Timbers are currently tied with six points apiece, but the Timbers have a game in hand. Alpha United have fallen in all three of their CCL matches, including a 4-1 home loss to the Timbers on Aug. 19. They’re coming off a 6-0 away loss to Olimpia on Aug. 28 that eliminated them from the tournament.
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BROADCAST INFO: The match will be broadcast on FOX Soccer 1 at 7pm PT.
Fox Soccer 1
Directv: 219 (HD)
Dish: 150 (HD)
Comcast: 408 / 723 (HD)
The game will also be streamed live on FoxSoccer2Go.com. This is a paid service, but they are currently offering a free 7 day trial when you sign up with a credit card which can then be cancelled within seven days to avoid any charges.
SPOILED FOR CHOICE: Tuesday’s match will represent Portland’s fourth game in two weeks, but they’re no worse for the wear. Head coach Caleb Porter used an almost entirely different lineup in last Tuesday’s CCL match against Olimpia (highlights below) from their previous match Sept. 13 against the Colorado Rapids. Porter rotated his squad again for Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, so he should have plenty of rested bodies to choose from for a game in which the Timbers will be heavily favored.
ALPHA UNDERDOG: The Guyana champions have been outscored 11-1 in their three CCL matches. And following a 6-0 rout at the hands of Olimpia that eliminated Alpha from the tournament and then a 4,700-mile trip to Portland, the longest trip in CCL history, things have the potential to get difficult for The Hammer at Providence Park.
ONE STEP CLOSER: In their very first CCL, the Timbers have a very good chance to advance to the quarterfinals. No matter the result against Alpha on Tuesday night, the Timbers can advance to the quarterfinals with a draw in Honduras thanks to holding the first tiebreaker, which is head-to-head record between the two teams involved. Of course, when it comes to quarterfinal seeding, every point and goal counts in the quest for an advantageous draw.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Though Alpha haven’t had much success on the field, head coach Wayne Dover said his group has learned from the experience.
“I’ve learnt how easily you could be dismantled if you are not organized in your games,” he recently told CONCACAF.com. “I’ve learnt how important it is to take your chances when you create them. I’ve learnt that there's no room for mistakes at this level. You must be disciplined tactically for more than 90 minutes at this level.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
MAXIMILIANO URRUTI, PORTLAND – The Portland striker scored a goal the last time out against Alpha and also added a brace last week in their win over Olimpia.
BARBOSA MURILLO, ALPHA – The defender had the highlight of the tournament thus far for Alpha, scoring on a great free-kick goal right before halftime against Portland.
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KIT COLOR: The Timbers will be wearing their Primary Green kits this evening.
PROVIDENCE PARK:
- Check out the Stand Together 50/50 raffle. Learn more about its impact with AC Portland and in the community.
- Visit Big-Ass Sandwiches in the SE corner of the stadium as part of the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA).
- Read about the numerous Oregon-based menu items at Providence Park.
- Find the free Timbers Photobooth and get your picture taken for free at the game.
- Info on water policy can also be found on The Backcut blog.
- E-cycle your old mobile phone.
- Sign up for Timbers Match Text Alerts. Text "ALERT" to 27299 to join. Match day alerts will send you notifications for goals, cards & more for instant updates on the match.
Providence Park
Check out ProvidenceParkPDX.com with a full Timbers MatchDay Guide.
1. Get To The Stadium
2. Buy Tickets
3. Choose Your Entrance - All gates for tonight's CCL match open one hour prior to kickoff. There will be no wristband procedure for Gate 3 at the match this evening.
4. Find Your Seat
5. Enjoy The Match
6. After The Match
Also read our guides on TriMet, Parking, and Guest Guide.
