It's another Cascadia clash at home... and a chance for vengeance.
It's a Cascadia matchup Saturday night at Providence Park, and a chance for vengeance for Portland. After dropping the result in the first encounter in British Columbia back in early April, the Timbers get home-field advantage in round 2.
Numbers to keep an 👀 on
350
With his expected participation on Saturday night, Timbers captain and club legend Diego Chara will have played in his 350th match wearing the green and gold. Yet another milestone for the iron man.
12
Following the match with Austin on matchday 11, Portland has now registered twelve different goal scorers this season. It is the most of any team in the league this year. Saturday could easily bring a 13th different scorer as the club has played unselfish soccer during their positive stretch after the April 8 loss in British Columbia. Last week, Dario Zuparic and Claudio Bravo scored their first-ever MLS regular-season goals with the club. Who may strike the back of the net next?
5.4
Vancouver's offense has been a consistent threat in 2023. Their 5.4 shots on target per game are the 4th most produced by any club in MLS, meaning Aljaz Ivacic will have to repeat his superman heroics from the first encounter in Canada to keep the Whitecaps off the board.
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The 2023 season is just about a third of the way through, and teams are either finding, keeping, or losing their groove. 11 matches down means just 23 left to go for Portland, and the first stop is a Cascadia Derby at home with Vancouver.
Rivalry Rematch
Since falling to the Whitecaps at BC Place by a 1-0 scoreline, the Portland Timbers have been finding their form. Their seven points from a possible twelve since that dreadful loss in early April are among the best in the league across that span. They were able to gather points more consistently and began rising in the table week after week thereafter. Today, Portland sits in the ninth and final playoff spot of the west, with eyes on Vancouver's comfortable seventh place spot just two points ahead.
Just four and a half weeks later, they face each other again. A key Cascadia Cup/regular-season matchup with an opportunity to define who rules the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers are in the comforts of Providence Park this time, with a green and gold army behind them. An all-time home record of eight wins, five draws, and just three losses to the Whitecaps since joining MLS favors Portland; however, it won't be a walk in the park.
Vancouver is first in the league in chances created, with players like Julian Gressel and Brian White who have nine goal contributions combined so far, it's easy to see why. They are also one of the most accurate teams when it comes to crosses, meaning the Timbers' backline will play a key role in holding it down defensively on Saturday.
