Riding a three-game unbeaten streak, the Portland Timbers take on a Cascadian foe for the first time this season when they match up with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Saturday at BC Place (2pm PT, KPTV). Here are five numbers to know for #VANvPOR in the latest Quick Strikes.
2 After his stunning game-winning goal on Sunday, Diego Valeri is now the only MLS player with two goals scored direct from free kicks this season. Only eight other players have scored one goal from a free kick in 2016.
7 Nine games into the season, Fanendo Adi has scored seven goals and currently leads the MLS Golden Boot race, along with San Jose's Chris Wondolowski. This is the latest in a season that a Timbers player has ever been at the top of the MLS goalscoring list.
30 Defender Nat Borchers made his 30th consecutive competitive start for Portland including the regular season and playoffs, which is the longest current streak for a Timbers player. For his career, Borchers has now started 356 MLS regular season and playoff matches, which is the fourth-most ever for an outfield player in the league.
4Diego Chara has scored seven career regular season and playoff goals for the Timbers, with four of them coming against Cascadia rivals Vancouver and Seattle. Chara's most recent goal came against the Whitecaps in last season's MLS Cup Playoffs.
3 The Timbers have three regular season victories at BC Place, which ties it with Rio Tinto Stadium for most wins at a road venue by Portland. The club also beat Vancouver at BC Place in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals.
