MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Estadio Ricardo Saprissa (San Jose, Costa Rica)
Forecast: Rainy, 67 degrees
Referee: Yadel Martinez
Assistant Referees: Hiran Dopico, Leonardo Sanchez Fourth Official: Marcos Brea
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sept. 10, as Portland celebrated its 100th consecutive regular-season sellout since joining MLS in 2011. With the win, Portland is unbeaten in eight consecutive regular-season games against Real Salt Lake, dating back to June 7, 2014, including three straight games this sea- son (1-0-2). Additionally, the win marked Portland’s fifth shutout and 10th home win of the 2016 campaign. The Timbers’ 10 home wins are tied for the most home wins in MLS this season, along with FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls. The Timbers opened the scoring early in the first half when Fanendo Adi produced a composed finish from just outside the six-yard box in the 12th minute of play, marking his third goal at home in his last three games. The Timbers broke through after midfielder Darlington Nagbe made a sharp cut to beat Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman before blasting a hard shot that was deflected to Adi.
SCOUTING SAPRISSA
Three-time winners of the previous iteration of the CONCACAF Champions League, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Deportivo Saprissa enters Wednesday’s game with two games played in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League, defeating C.D. Dragon 6-0 at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa on Aug. 18, before battling C.D. Dragon to a 0-0 draw in El Salvador on Aug. 25. Five different players scored for Saprissa in the 6-0 win, including a brace from Rolando Blackburn.
GROUP B STANDINGS
| Team | GP | W | L | T | Pts. | GF | GA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saprissa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
| Portland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Dragon | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | -7 |
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The Timbers, who opened 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League group play with a 2-1 victory against C.D. Dragon at Providence Park on Aug. 3, 2016, will play two additional Champions League fixtures after facing Deportivo Saprissa on Sept. 14. Following the match against Saprissa, the Timbers will travel to El Salvador to face C.D. Dragon on Sept. 27, before concluding the group stage with a home contest against Saprissa on Oct. 19.
