After the period of road games in club history, the Portland Timbers will begin their 2018 home campaign by taking on Minnesota United FC Saturday at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, FOX 12 Oregon). Here are five numbers to know for #PORvMIN in the latest Quick Strikes.
14 For the second consecutive season, the Timbers will welcome the Loons for their home opener. Dating back to the USL era, Portland is unbeaten in their last 14 home openers (9-0-5), including last season's 5-1 victory over Minnesota.
34 Reigning MVP Diego Valeri has scored in each of the last two matches while also adding an assist. Including this month, Valeri has now had either at least one goal or assist in every calendar month he has played in since March 2014, a total of 34 consecutive months.
7Sebastián Blanco is off to a strong start this season with three goals and an assist. In addition, Blanco's seven shots on goal tie him for fifth-highest total in MLS entering this week's action.
6 The Timbers ended the 2017 regular-season with six consecutive home wins. Portland's record for most consecutive home wins is seven, occurring between Aug.7, 2016-March 18, 2017.
4/14 April 14 is a special date in Timbers history as the first MLS match ever hosted by Portland took place on that day in 2011 with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Fire. The Timbers also played at Providence Park on April 14 in 2013 when they defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0.
