MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016
Kickoff: 2 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Rainy, 55 degrees
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Assistant Referees: Gianni Facchini, Jason White Fourth Official: Dave Gantar
NATIONAL TV: ESPN
Talent: Glenn Davis (play-by-play), Brian Dunseth (analyst)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Following a FIFA international window, the Timbers head into Sunday’s contest with three wins in their last five matches across all competitions. Sunday’s contest marks Portland’s third and final league game against the Rapids, with the Timbers falling 1-0 against Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Oct. 1. While facing Colorado at Providence Park, the Timbers have lost once in six games played, including a five-game unbeaten streak since June 11, 2011. Colorado heads into Sunday’s match with two wins in its last two matches, defeating Houston 3-2 on the road, before securing a 2-1 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 13. Midfielder Shkelzen Gashi leads the team in goals (8), while ranking tied for the second-most assists on the team (4).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing their third away match in a one-week span, the Portland Timbers fell 1-0 against the Colorado Rapids before 17,554 fans at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Oct. 1.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Sunday’s match between Portland and Colorado marks the 16th meeting in the all-time MLS series between the two teams. Portland enters the match with just one loss in its last five regular-season games (3-1-2) against Colorado and has lost just twice against the Western Conference side in league play since March 30, 2013. Sunday’s match marks the third and final meeting between the two clubs in the 2016 regular season. In their previous meeting on Oct. 1, the Rapids took a 1-0 win behind a second-half finish by midfielder Sebastien Le Toux in the 63rd minute of play. At Providence Park, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last five regular season matches against the Rapids, dating back to June 11, 2011.
SCOUTING COLORADO
One of three Western Conference teams to clinch a playoff berth going into the weekend, the Colorado Rapids head into Sunday’s match with two wins in its last two matches, defeating Houston 3-2 on the road, before securing a 2-1 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 13. Midfielder Shkelzen Gashi leads the team in goals (8), while ranking tied for the second-most assists on the team (4).
