MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016
Kickoff: 3 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Rainy, 68 degrees
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Adam Garner
Fourth Official: Daniel Radford
Local TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter)
English Radio: KUFO 970 AM
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 presented by FLIR
MATCH PREVIEW
Saturday’s fixture marks the only meeting between Portland and Philadelphia this season, and the seventh regular-season match between the two clubs since 2011. With only one loss against the Union (2-1-3) since joining MLS, Portland is unbeaten against Philadelphia at Providence Park in three games played (2-0-1), outscoring the Union 5-1 during that stretch. The Union enter Saturday’s contest winless in their last two matches, including a 3-0 away loss against the Chicago Fire on Sept. 3. In 14 road matches played this season, Philadelphia, which sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, has produced a 3-7-4 away record in 2016. Forward Chris Pontius leads the team in goals (10), while also ranking tied for the most assists on the team (5).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sept. 10, as Portland celebrated its 100th consecutive regular-season sellout since joining MLS in 2011. Forward Fanendo Adi scored Portland’s lone goal in the first half, recording his 14th goal in league play this season. With the win, Portland is unbeaten in eight consecutive regular-season games against Real Salt Lake, dating back to June 7, 2014.
LAST TIME VS. PHILADELPHIA
The Portland Timbers could not overcome a late second-half push as the Philadelphia Union scored three goals in the final 21 minutes for the 3-0 win against the Timbers in front of 18,722 fans at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., on July 11, 2015.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
The Timbers and Union have squared off six times since Portland entered MLS in 2011. The Timbers have earned a 2-1-3 overall record against their Eastern Conference counterparts, including a 2-0-1 record at Providence Park. Historically, the teams have not had high-scoring meetings, as just two of the six previous matches has seen more than two combined goals scored - a 3-1 win for the Timbers on March 12, 2012, in the 2012 MLS season-opening match at Providence Park and a 3-0 win for Philadelphia PPL Park on July 11, 2015. At Providence Park, the Timbers have outscored the Philadelphia Union 5-1 in three games played.
SCOUTING PHILADELPHIA
The Union enter Saturday’s contest winless in their last two matches, including a 3-0 away loss against the Chicago Fire on Sept. 3. In 14 road matches played this season, Philadelphia, which sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, has produced a 3-7-4 away record in 2016. Forward Chris Pontius leads the team in goals (10), while also ranking tied for the most assists on the team (5).
