The Portland Timbers return home to the friendly confines of Providence Park on Sunday to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps (6pm PT, ROOT SPORTS), having played two straight games on the road and returning with six points added to the Western Conference table. A win against Vancouver this weekend catapult the Timbers into the lead for the Cascadia Cup and above the red line into the playoff race. Let's take a look at some numbers to know for Sunday.
4-0-4Portland has ruled the series against the Whitecaps. In eight games, the Timbers hold a record of 4-0-4, with equal records of 2-0-2 both home and away. Goal disparity has also been remarkably even, where Portland has scored six goals to Vancouver's four at both locations. In 2014, Portland has not lost a game in Providence Park all season.
2The 2014 Cascadia Cup table has just started to take shape with the only two matches so far resulting in draws. Seattle sits atop the standings with two points, having played both Portland and Vancouver already this season. Portland is second with one point after a 4-4 draw with the Sounders on Apr. 5 gave them the goal lead above the Whitecaps. A result in Sunday's match could catapult the Timbers into the lead or at least tie them with Seattle for the top spot.
1On Wednesday, Donovan Ricketts recorded his first clean sheet of the 2014 MLS season. Chivas USA held the advantage in possession for just 30 minutes, and Ricketts recorded a single save in front of a staunch defensive back line. Portland has not lost since Apr. 19.
THREENewcomer Fanendo Adi has made his impact felt immediately, responsible for three goals in as many games for Portland. In his first game against the Columbus Crew on May 17, Adi assisted on Gastón Fernández's equalizing goal in the 85th minute. Then, against Chivas USA on Wednesday Adi scored a brace to seal a 2-0 victory in Los Angeles.
99Jack Jewsbury is ready to make Timbers MLS history on Sunday. The veteran defender has been with Portland since 2011, and currently stands at 99 games played for the Timbers in MLS. If Jewsbury sees the pitch on Sunday, he will become the second player in Timbers MLS history to hit the career 100 game mark, the second player to do so in the 2014 season. Darlington Nagbe beat him to the punch earlier this year on Apr. 5 in a home match against the Seattle Sounders.
