Champions League

CONCACAF Champions League KeyBank Scouting Report Match Preview | Alpha United vs. Portland Timbers | Aug. 19, 2014


Alpha United vs. Portland Timbers
2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League
August 19 | 5 pm PT | Guyana National Stadium
TV: Fox Soccer Plus


And so it begins for the Portland Timbers. Caleb Porter's crew enter the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time based on their first-place finish in the Western Conference last season. Tuesday night in Guyana finds the Timbers taking on Alpha United FC, the CCL entry from the Guyanese Football Federation Super League.


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BROADCAST INFO:  The match will be broadcast on FOX Soccer Plus at 5pm PT. This channel is available on DirectTV in high definition and on Dish Network, but only in standard definition. Fox Soccer Plus is not available in Portland on Comcast


Fox Soccer Plus
Directv: 621-1 (HD)
Directv: 621 (SD)
Dish: 407 (SD)
Comcast: not available

The game will also be streamed live on FoxSoccer2Go.com. This is a paid service, but they are currently offering a free 7 day trial when you sign up with a credit card which can then be cancelled within seven days to avoid any charges.


VIEWING PARTIES:  Timbers pub partners Kells (112 SW 2nd Ave.), Mad Greek Deli (1740 E. Burnside), McGillacuddy's (11133 NE Halsey), and Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave.) are all showing the match. Click here for a complete list of Timbers Pub Partners.


FANTASTIC VOYAGE: The Timbers are making an epic road trip for their Champions League debut. After bagging a 1-1 draw in New England this past weekend, they hopped a charter flight from Boston's Logan International Airport for a 2,500-mile, two-leg flight to Georgetown. After Tuesday's match, they'll make a 4,700-mile flight back to Portland for a Sunday showdown with Seattle.


WHO ARE THESE GUYS? Porter is a scouting pro, but even he likely has faced a challenge to collect information on the five-time defending Guyanese champions, making their second-ever CCL appearance. Alpha United, nicknamed "The Hammer," fell 1-0 at home to Honduran side Olimpia in their tournament opener two weeks ago, but believe they've got a decent shot against the Timbers. "We went back to the drawing board," head coach Wayne Dover told local media. "We have worked on finishing during our sessions and the approach on Tuesday will be offensive-minded.”

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ALPHA UNITED PLAYER TO WATCH:

GREGORY RICHARDSON, ALPHA UNITED - The Guyanese national-teamer is one of Alpha United's most attacking players, along with strike partner Kithson Bain. Richardson – who had a brief cup of coffee in MLS with the Colorado Rapids in 2009 – was subpar in Alpha's opener vs. Olimpia and will be looking to show better in front of his home fans.