MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Cloudy, 57 degrees
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Daniel Belleau Fourth Official: Ricardo Salazar
National TV: PDX TV
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter), Nat Borchers (field analyst)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Jack Jewsbury (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 return to Providence Park this weekend, playing host to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, April 15. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on KPDX with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Heading into Saturday’s match, the Timbers are coming off a 3-1 win against Philadelpha on April 8. With the three-goal production against Philadelphia, the Timbers rank second in league history for the most goals scored through the first six games to start a season. Sporting KC enters Saturday’s match unbeaten in league play (2-0-3), coming off a 3-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on April 9. Four different players rank tied for the team lead in goals (1).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers picked up their fourth win, and their second road victory of the young season, by scoring three unanswered goals to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 before 15,437 fans at Talen Energy Stadium on April 8. Three different players scored for Portland in the win, with forward Fanendo Adi tallying his 46th career finish in regular-season play to become the Timbers all-time leader in goals scored across all eras (since 1975). Portland midfielder Darlington Nagbe and defender Roy Miller also scored their first goals in 2017.
LAST TIME VS. SPORTING KC
Despite being reduced to 10 men moments into the first half, the Portland Timbers scored three second-half goals to defeat Sporting Kansas City 3-0 at Providence Park on Aug. 7.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the 11th regular-season meeting between Portland and Sporting Kansas City. In the last three matches played at Providence Park between the two teams, the Timbers have only lost once (1-1-1), outscoring Sporting KC 3-1 at home. In 2016, both teams met on two occasions, splitting the regular-season series. After falling 1-0 to Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park on July 31, the Timbers responded strongly with a 3-0 win at home against Kansas City the following weekend. Three different players scored for Portland in the 3-0 win, despite the team being reduced to 10 men after midfielder Diego Chara was sent off in the first half, with midfielders Diego Valeri and Jack Jewsbury each scoring, along with forward Fanendo Adi.
SCOUTING SPORTING KC
Sporting Kansas City enters Saturday’s match unbeaten in league play (2-0-3), coming off a 3-1 win against the Colorado Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park on April 9. On the road, Sporting Kansas City is winless in two games played, previously drawing D.C. United 0-0 on March 4, before tying Toronto FC 0-0 at BMO Field on March 31. Four different players rank tied for the team lead in goals (1).
