Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. On Wednesday, the Portland Timbers host Northwest rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park (7pm PT, TICKETS, FOX 12 PLUS).
Team Form
Vancouver is in eighth place in the Western Conference with a record of 10-9-10 on 40 points, only one point behind Minnesota United FC in the race for the final Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs spot and only two points behind fifth place Real Salt Lake.
Since Portland defeated the Whitecaps 1-0 at BC Place on Sept. 10, Vancouver has earned points in five of the past six games, going 3-1-2 over the stretch. While Portland, and much of the league, had last weekend off due to international play, Vancouver did not. They defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-1 this past Sunday on Oct. 17.
Vancouver is led by interim head coach Vanni Sartini who took over after the Whitecaps parted ways with Marc Dos Santos in late August.
Cascadia Cup
Wednesday's match will be Portland's third and final game in their 2021 Cascadia Cup campaign. Begun in 2004 by the supporters groups of Portland, Vancouver and Seattle Sounders FC, the Cascadia Cup is awarded to the team and their supporters group with the best record in intra-team, regular-season play between the trio.
Though Portland faced Vancouver earlier this regular season, this Cascadia Cup is only being contested in matches in which fans have been able to be in attendance, hence only the the final six matches of the three teams (two each against each team) count in the cup standings.
Currently, Portland is tied with Seattle on points but in second place due to the goal differential tie breaker. To stay in the race for the trophy, Portland would need a win or a draw against Vancouver on Oct. 20 and then a Seattle loss when they face Vancouver on the last game of the season on Nov. 7.
Pos. |
Team |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Sounders |
2 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
5 |
+5 |
6 |
2 |
Timbers |
2 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
6 |
3 |
Whitecaps |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
-4 |
0 |
In Attack
Forward Brian White, who was acquired in a midseason trade from the New York Red Bulls in June, has been a revelation for the Whitecaps, scoring a team-leading 10 goals in 22 appearances to go along with three assists on the year.
Among the other attacking forces for Vancouver, forward Cristian Dájome is second on the team with eight goals (4A), while Déiber Caicedo has four goals and team-best six assists. Scottish Designated Player midfielder Ryan Gauld has contributed three goals and four assists.
In Defense
Defender Javain Brown has dropped in five helpers on the year from his outside back position and also leads the team in 40 interceptions. Longtime Vancouver midfielder Russell Teibert has been a mainstay for the 'Caps having appeared in all but one of their games (24 starts).
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who recently started all three of Canada's World Cup qualifiers, has made 22 appearances in goal for Vancouver in 2021, earning six clean sheets.
Janio Bikel has been in every match this year and is second on the team in minutes. Sometimes on the backline, sometimes in midfield, Bikel has been a regular throughout 2021.
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