MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 65 degrees
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Jeffrey Greeson Fourth Official: Ricardo Salazar
VAR: Fotis Bazakos
LOCAL TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Fletcher Johnson (play-by-play), Brett Jacbos (analyst), Brian Perkins (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
With two games remaining in the 2017 season, the Portland Timbers will return to league play this weekend when the team plays host to D.C. United on Sunday, Oct. 15, following a bye week during the FIFA international window last weekend. Heading into the match, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last four home matches, dating back to Aug. 6. Dating back to the 2016 season, the Timbers have won the fourth-most games at home in the league, compiling a 21-5-6 home record during that stretch. Sunday’s game marks a third straight away game for D.C. United, with the team recently coming off a 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Sept. 30, snapping a two-game unbeaten streak for United. Luciano Acosta leads the team in goals scored (5) in 2017.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing their final road game of the 2017 regular season, the Portland Timbers fell 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes before 18,000 fans at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30. Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored for the Timbers, recording his sixth goal of the season, with midfielder Darlington Nagbe tallying his fifth assist on the season.
LAST TIME VS. D.C. UNITED
Playing the first game of a two-match road swing, the Portland Timbers were unable to overcome two first-half goals, falling 2-0 to D.C. United before 16,298 fans at RFK Stadium on Aug. 13, 2016.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Sunday’s match marks the eighth all-time meeting between Portland and D.C. United in regular-season play. In the only meeting between the two teams last season, D.C. United took a 2-0 win at RFK Stadium, snapping the Timbers five- game unbeaten run against the Eastern Conference side, dating back to May 29, 2011, in Portland’s expansion season. In four games played at Providence Park, the Timbers have only lost once to D.C. United, averaging roughly 1.8 goals per game during that stretch. Overall, matches between Portland and D.C. are typically high scoring at Providence Park, with both teams combining to average 3.25 goals per game.
SCOUTING D.C. UNITED
Sunday’s game marks a third straight away game for D.C. United, with the team recently coming off a 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Sept. 30, snapping a two-game unbeaten streak for United. Prior to the match against Columbus, D.C. United defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 on Sept. 23, before drawing the New York Red Bulls 3-3 on Sept. 27. Midfielder Luciano Acosta leads the team in goals scored (5) in 2017.
