MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Forecast: Showers, 53 degrees
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Claudiu Badea Fourth Official: Geoff Gamble
National TV: KPTV FOX 12
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
Following a comprehensive 3-1 win at home against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 16, the Portland Timbers will travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Revolution on Wednesday, April 27; kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). Entering Wednesday’s match, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last three games against the Revolution. Since joining MLS in 2011, the Timbers have only lost to New England once in six games played, compiling a 2-1-3 regular-season record. The Revolution enter Wednesday’s match, following a 3-0 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium on April 23. Prior to the loss against D.C. United, New England were unbeaten in its last four league games, registering one win and three draws.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Behind three second-half goals, the Portland Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at Providence Park on April 16. Forwards Jack McInerney and Fanendo Adi both found the back of the net for Portland.
LAST TIME VS. NEW ENGLAND
The Portland Timbers tallied a third straight regular-season win as forward Fanendo Adi netted a second-half brace with goals in the 86th and 89th minutes and the defense registered its sixth clean sheet of the 2015 season in a 2-0 win against the New England Revolution in front of a sellout crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on June 6.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Wednesday’s match marks the seventh regular-season meeting between the Timbers and the Revolution and just the fourth all-time regular-season match between both clubs at Gillette Stadium. Since 2011, the Timbers have only lost once in three games played at Gillette Stadium, registering two points on the road against New England.
Wednesday’s match signifies the first meeting between the two teams at Gillette Stadium since Aug. 16, 2014, when both teams battled to a 1-1 draw, as Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell recorded his first goal for the club, scoring the equalizer in the 65th minute of play.
SCOUTING NEW ENGLAND
Entering Wednesday’s game, New England are coming off a 3-0 loss to D.C. United on April 23, snapping the Revolution’s four-game unbeaten run in league play. With a 1-2-5 record to begin the season, New England recorded its first win of the season in a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on April 1. In three games played at Gillette Stadium in 2016, New England have produced five points, compiling a 1-0-2 record.
Led by head coach Jay Heaps, the Revolution acquired 10 players during the offseason, including defender Je-Vaughn Watson in a trade with FC Dallas on March 4. Midfielder Diego Fagundez leads the team in goals (2), while Gershon Koffie ranks first in assists (2) and midfielder Lee Nguyen leads the team in overall shots (20) and shots on goal (8).
FINAL THIRD SUCCESS
Portland midfielder Diego Valeri ranks second in MLS for chances created from open play (15), while forward Fanendo Adi joins Valeri in the top 10 with 12 chances created from open play in seven games played, according to Opta.
FACING NEW ENGLAND
Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury ranks fourth in MLS among active players for games played against New England, featuring 25 times against the Revolution. Forward Jack McInerney is tied for sixth place among active players in MLS for goals scored against the Revolution, scoring five times since against New England. McInerney’s most recent goal against the Revolution took place on May 31, 2014. During their MLS era, the Timbers are led by Fanendo Adi for goals scored against the Revolution (2).
DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Entering Wednesday’s match, the Timbers rank seventh in MLS for tackles made (153), trailing FC Dallas, D.C. United, New York City FC, the San Jose Earthquakes, Colorado Rapids and New York Red Bulls.
Additionally, Timbers midfielder Diego Chara leads the team and MLS in tackles made (33) and successful tackles (25) in 2016, winning 76 percent of his tackles through seven games played.
After adding three tackles to his tally during a 3-1 win against San Jose on April 16, Chara now has 574 overall tackles in league play, since joining Portland in 2011, ranking second in MLS among active players. Seattle Sounders FC defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso is sits in first place with 633 tackles recorded since the 2011 campaign.
AWAY FORM
In the past three seasons, the Timbers have recorded the most away victories for any team in MLS, tied for first place in the league with Sporting Kansas City, after recording 14 away wins since 2013.
AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS
After recording a brace in a 3-1 win against San Jose on April 16, Timbers forward Fanendo Adi moved into a tie for first place in MLS for goals (6), while ranking second for game-winning goals (2).
Becoming the only player during Portland’s MLS era to deliver a brace after coming on as a substitute, Adi notched his second goal against the Earthquakes in the ninth minute of stoppage time in the second half, surpassing Nat Borchers’ game-winning finish in the 95th minute against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 15, 2015, as the latest goal in a MLS regular-season match in team history.
Adi’s finish also signified the second latest stoppage-time goal in MLS history, behind only Dominic Oduro’s goal for the Houston Dynamo in the 100th minute of play on Sept. 25, 2010.
Additionally, Portland midfielder Diego Valeri ranks fourth in MLS for shots taken (31), trailing only David Villa (40), Sebastian Giovinco (37) and Fabian Espindola (32). Valeri also leads MLS in corner kicks (49).
FINISHING TOUCH
Following a three-goal performance against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 16, the Timbers rank fifth in MLS for goals scored (11) through the first seven games of the season. Receiving goals from four different players so far this season, the Timbers trail only LA Galaxy (17), FC Dallas (15), the Houston Dynamo (13) and Real Salt Lake (12) for goals scored in 2016. Additionally, the Timbers are just one of four teams to score at least one goal in each game, along with the San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and Orlando City SC.
CLUTCH FACTOR
Through seven games played, the Timbers lead the league in goals scored in the second half (10), ranking first in a tie with the LA Galaxy. After scoring three goals in the second half against San Jose, the Timbers now average 1.43 goals overall in the final 45 minutes of play.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
With his next assist, midfielder Diego Chara will move into a tie for 13th place for assists with Brian Grant (1977-1982) and Stuart Lee (1980-1928) across all eras (since 1975).
With his next assist, midfielder Jack Jewsbury will rank 11th across all eras (since 1975) in Timbers history.
Since joining MLS in 2014, Fanendo Adi has recorded 14 away goals in league play. With his next finish on the road, Adi will move into the top 30 in MLS for goals scored on the road among active players.
Defender Jermaine Taylor is 30 minutes shy of 9,500 minutes played in MLS.
