The Portland Timbers have a double-game week in front of them, with their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals matchup kicking off on Wednesday against Club América at Providence Park (7:30 p.m. PT, FS1) before the team heads to Texas to take on FC Dallas in MLS play (5 p.m. PT, FOX 12 PLUS).
Meanwhile, Portland Thorns FC will wrap up the 2021 Challenge Cup group stage by on Sunday against the Houston Dash (4:30 p.m. PT, Paramount+). The Thorns have won all three of its Challenge Cup matches this season and have already clinched a spot in the tournament's May 8 final (10:00 a.m. PT, CBS).
What's on tap for Timbers
The Timbers will take on a club from Mexico in a competitive match for the first time in team history when they host Club América on Wednesday night. Club América has won the most international titles (10) of any team in CONCACAF and has won two CONCACAF Champions League crowns (2015 and 2016).
While Portland will take on América in the second leg on Cinco de Mayo, the Timbers will square off with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday. The clubs will be meeting for the first time since the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
What's on tap for Thorns
Having already clinched a spot in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup final, the Thorns will look to finish the group stage unbeaten against the team who knocked them out of the 2020 Challenge Cup, the Dash. Houston defeated Portland 1-0 on July 22, 2020, in the first Challenge Cup's semifinals.
Timbers Opponent Connections
Timbers midfielder Cristhian Paredes was formerly signed to Club América and played two matches for the club in Copa MX before joining the Timbers on loan in 2018.
Thorns Opponent Connections
Thorns defender Meghan Klingenberg played parts of two seasons with the Dash before joining the Thorns prior to the 2016 season. Of her 117 NWSL matches, 19 were with Houston, while 98 have been with Thorns FC.
#StatMan randomness
- Mexico is the eighth different FIFA nation that the Timbers have faced a club from in a competitive match in the club's history. It joins the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Guyana, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
- Crystal Dunn made her Thorns debut in Portland's 2-0 victory over OL Reign. Dunn is the eighth player to play for the Thorns after winning a FIFA World Cup.
- Midfielder Blake Bodily became the third Timbers player in all eras of the club to play in a league match who was born in Idaho. Bodily joins USL-era players George Josten and Brian Farber.
Five numbers to know
1Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella delivered his first win as a starting goalkeeper since April 20, 2019 against Columbus. Attinella has 26 wins over his nine seasons in MLS.
4The Thorns are unbeaten in their last four matches at Houston. The last time Portland played at the Dash, Thorns FC secured a 2-1 victory.
:17While playing for Pumas in Mexico, Timbers forward Felipe Mora scored just 17 seconds into a match against Club América. The match was played on Aug. 26, 2018 at Estadio Azteca.
6Thorns forward Simone Charley put six shots on target in Portland's win last Wednesday over OL Reign. That amount matches Charley's total from all of 2020 (10 games with Portland and four games with the Australian W-League's Canberra United).
14After his goal in Portland's 2-1 victory over Dynamo FC, Dairon Asprilla has scored 14 times in all competitions for the Timbers. Asprilla has eight goals in the regular season, four in the playoffs, and two in the U.S. Open Cup.
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