MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2016
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
Forecast: Clear, 89 degrees
Referee: Allan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Matthew Nelson, Eduardo Mariscal Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo
National TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Portland returns to league play on Saturday, June 18, taking on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday’s contest marks the second of three league matches scheduled between Portland and Real Salt Lake this season, with both teams previously battling to a 2-2 draw at Providence Park on March 19. Real Salt Lake recorded two wins and one loss in its last three league matches, defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 and New York City FC 3-2, while falling to Columbus Crew SC 4-3 on the road. Midfielder Joao Plata leads the team in goals (5), assists (6), shots (22) and shots on target (12). Heading into Saturday’s match, Real Salt Lake are coming off a win in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup against the Wilmington Hammerheads.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park on June 14, recording their second straight shutout. With the win, Portland advanced to the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive year. Dairon Asprilla and Jack McInerney both found the back of the net for Portland during the win.
LAST TIME VS. REAL SALT LAKE
Behind a brace from forward Fanendo Adi, the Portland Timbers erased a two- goal deficit late in the second half to draw Real Salt Lake 2-2 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on March 19.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the 16th all-time regular-season meeting between the Timbers and Real Salt Lake since 2011, and the second of three regular-season contests scheduled between both clubs in 2016. Dating back to June, 7 2014, the Timbers are unbeaten in six consecutive regular-season games against Real Salt Lake (4-0-2). In their first meeting in on March 19, the Timbers erased a 2-0 deficit late in the second half to extend their unbeaten streak against Real Salt Lake. In the previous three matches at Rio Tinto Stadium, dating back to the 2014 season, Portland remains unbeaten against Real Salt Lake, winning all three games. During that stretch, the Timbers have outscored Real Salt Lake 5-1, including a 3-1 win on June 7, 2014.
SCOUTING REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake recorded two wins and one loss in its last three league matches, defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 and New York City FC 3-2, while falling to Columbus Crew SC 4-3 on the road. Midfielder Joao Plata leads the team in goals (5), assists (6), shots (22) and shots on target (12). Heading into Saturday’s match, Real Salt Lake are coming off a win in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup against the Wilmington Hammerheads. In the previous meeting between Portland and Real Salt Lake on March 19, both teams battled to a 2-2 draw at Providence Park, with Timbers forward Fanendo Adi recording a brace in the second half, as Portland erased a two-goal deficit. Dating back to Aug. 19, 2014, the Timbers have won their last three games at Rio Tinto Stadium.
TIMBERS FORM
Heading into Saturday’s match, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, winning three times in their previous four games (3-0-1). During that stretch, the Timbers have outscored their opponents 8-3, including a four-goal performance, Portland’s highest scoring output of the season, against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 22. Additionally, Portland has recorded two straight shutouts in their last two games.
