The Portland Timbers welcome the Columbus Crew to Providence Park for the first time since the 2019 season on Saturday, and will induct club great Diego Valeri into the Timbers Ring of Honor. Kickoff is 7:30pm PT.
The Portland Timbers return home after 21 days and welcome the Columbus Crew to Providence Park on Saturday for the first time in four seasons. The night’s festivities, presented by adidas, feature the induction of Timbers great Diego Valeri into the club’s Ring of Honor.
Fans should make plans to arrive to the park early on Saturday to witness the unveiling of Valeri’s Ring of Honor banner pre-game and collect a commemorative ticket giveaway; kickoff is 7:30pm PT.
- 🎟️ TICKETS: Timbers vs. Columbus | July 15 | 7:30pm PT
- 🏟️ VALERI RING OF HONOR: Schedule of events
The Timbers (5-9-7, 22pts) collected a point Wednesday in Colorado, but still sit three points back of the playoff line in a crowded Western Conference playoff race. Columbus (10-6-6, 36pts) visits the Rose City on an eight-game unbeaten streak – one of the longest unbeaten runs in the league in 2023 – and has its sights on a top spot in the East.
Saturday’s match against the Crew is the final regular-season match for the Timbers before the start of Leagues Cup.
The Yellow and Black meet the Green and Gold, and here are the stats to know ahead of it:
599
The Timbers are just one goal shy from reaching 600 MLS regular-season goals. Who will score the milestone goal?
1
On his special night, Valeri becomes the first MLS-era player to be inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor, joining NASL-era greats John Bain, Clive Charles, Jimmy Conway, Mick Hoban and Timber Jim. Valeri is also No. 1 on the club’s list of all-time scoring leaders.
1,761
The number of days since the Columbus Crew last visited the Rose City. The Crew’s last visit to Providence Park was Sept. 19, 2018, with the Timbers earning a 3-2 victory. Three current Timbers featured in that match – Sebastián Blanco, Diego Chara and Larrys Mabiala.
5
In 11 all-time regular-season matchups between the clubs, the Timbers have the advantage against the Crew with a 5-3-3 record. Providence Park is one of five Western Conference stadiums where Columbus has failed to emerge victorious.
8
Columbus is currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak, going 5-0-3 since May 31. The Crew have amassed a +7 goal differential during that period. Offensively, their 17-goal outburst over the last six-and-a-half weeks is the most by any team across the league. The Crew are red-hot.
