Following a midweek Knockout Round victory over FC Dallas, the Portland Timbers will host the Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday at Providence Park (2:30pm PT, ESPN | Match presented by Carl's Jr.). Here are five things to know for the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals in an Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs edition of Quick Strikes.
8 Sunday's match will be the eighth postseason match between the Timbers and Sounders. Portland has won both MLS playoff matches between the two clubs and holds the overall advantage, four wins to three.
4 For the fourth time in six years, the Timbers will be playing in the Western Conference Semifinals. Portland is one of four MLS teams to qualify for conference semifinals in at least four of the last six season, along with Columbus, New York Red Bulls, and Seattle.
10 In the Knockout Round win over FC Dallas, midfielder Diego Chara played his 10th postseason match for Portland. Chara is the third Timbers player ever to have played in 10 postseason matches for the club, joining Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe.
46 Portland's defense held firm in the Knockout Round, delivering 46 clearances in the match. That is the most by the Timbers in any match this season.
75 With his midweek brace, Valeri has now scored 75 goals in competitive matches for the Timbers – best across all eras of the club. Since the team's founding in 1975, the Argentine has scored 19 more goals than the next closest Timbers player.
