The Timbers face the Minnesota Thunder tonight in Blaine, Minn., tonight at 5:05 p.m. (Pacific). Catch a live broadcast on 95.5 The Game or online at portlandtimbers.com and through USL Live. Follow live updates on Twitter.
Click here to tonight's match notes.
Tonight's Starters:
POR:
MIN:
Match Preview:
The Portland Timbers return to USL First Division action tonight on the road against the Minnesota Thunder. The Timbers played English Premier League club Burnley FC to a 2-2 draw in an international exhibition match last weekend at PGE Park.
Portland enters tonight's match against Minnesota on a USL First Division record 17-game unbeaten streak. The Timbers currently sit in second place in a two-way tie with the Puerto Rico Islanders and are just three points behind the first-place Charleston Battery.
The Timbers (9-1-8, 35pts) finished their July schedule with a 2-0-3 record, including two shutouts, and out-scored opponents 7-3. Portland opens its seven-game August schedule tonight against the Thunder.
In its last two matches, the Timbers have recorded back-to-back shutouts, holding both the Miami FC Blues and Puerto Rico without a goal; Portland has not allowed a goal since July 17 against Miami. In total, the backline has logged nine shutouts on the season.
The Timbers are 11-5-12 all-time against the Thunder, including a 1-0-1 mark in the 2009 season series against Minnesota. Tonight is the third and final contest between the two clubs during the regular season. In their last meeting July 4, Minnesota found a late equalizer during second-half stoppage time to end the match in a 1-1 draw. The Timbers have out-scored the Thunder 6-4 in their previous meetings this season, including a five-goal outburst in a 5-1 win over Minnesota on June 19, at PGE Park.
In their last four meetings in Minnesota, the Timbers and Thunder have played to a draw. Portland's last win in Minnesota was a 2-1 result on June 15, 2006. The Timbers have not lost in Minnesota in nine games, dating back to the 2003 season.
The Timbers are without the services of midfielder Tony McManus for tonight's match due to a league-imposed, one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
