MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, April 2, 2017
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 55 degrees
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Adam Garner, Mike Rottersman Fourth Official: Dave Gantar
National TV: ESPN2
Talent: Adrian Healey (play-by-play), Taylor Twellman (analyst), Julie Stewart- Binks (reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers (3-1-0, 9pts) will play host to the New England Revolution at Providence Park on Sunday, April 2. Going into Sunday’s match, the Timbers, who are unbeaten at home this season (2-0-0) have received goals from six different players. Midfielder Dairon Asprilla scored his first goal of the season in Portland’s most recent match against Columbus. Forward Fanendo Adi scored his fourth goal in as many games played, finishing in the third minute of stoppage time in the first half. With the finish, Adi ranks tied for the most goals scored in club history across all eras. New England (1-2-0, 3pts) enters Sunday’s match after picking up its first win of the season on March 25, defeating Minnesota 5-2. Lee Nguyen leads the team in scoring (2).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers received first-half goals from forward Fanendo Adi and winger Dairon Asprilla, but surrendered a late goal in the second half, falling 3-2 to Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium on March 25. With his fourth goal of the season, Adi moved into a tie with John Bain for the most goals (45) across all eras.
LAST TIME VS. NEW ENGLAND
The Portland Timbers battled the New England Revolution to a 1-1 draw on April 27, earning a hard-fought road point at Gillette Stadium and extending their unbeaten run against New England to four games, dating back to the 2013 MLS campaign.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Sunday’s fixture marks the eighth regular-season match between Portland and New England since the Timbers joined MLS in 2011. Since falling 1-0 to New England on March 24, 2012, Portland is unbeaten against the Revolution in the last four games played between the two teams (1-0-3). In their only match against New England in 2016, the Timbers took a point on the road, battling the Revolution to a 1-1 draw after conceding an own goal in the 88th minute. Midfielder Jack Barmby recorded his first MLS goal during the 2016 draw against New England, scoring in the 64th minute. At home, the Timbers are 2-0-1 against the Revolution since 2011, outscoring the Eastern Conference side 5-0 during that stretch.
SCOUTING NEW ENGLAND
After opening the 2017 season with back-to-back road games, falling 1-0 to Colorado on March 4, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas on March 18, New England earned its first win of the season with a 5-2 victory against Minnesota United FC on March 25. Four different players scored for New England in the win against United FC, with forward Juan Agudelo recording his first brace of the season, while midfielder Lee Nguyen recorded a goal and an assist. Through three games played, Nguyen leads the team in goals (2), while midfielder Diego Fagundez, who also notched an assist against Minnesota, leads the team in assists, setting up two goals.
