MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Showers, 60 degrees
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Michael Kampmeinert Fourth Official: Dave Gantar
National TV: ESPN
Talent: Adrian Healey (play-by-play), Taylor Twellman (analyst), Monica Gonzalez (reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Sunday’s match signifies the second of three regular-season meetings scheduled between Portland and Vancouver this season, with Whitecaps FC taking a 2-1 win at B.C. Place on May 7. Sunday’s game marks the 86th meeting between the two teams across all eras (since 1975), including playoffs. Overall, the Timbers lead the MLS regular-season series against Vancouver, compiling a 6-3-6 record in 15 games played since joining MLS in 2011. Portland’s six regular-season wins against Vancouver is tied for the most wins against a team in MLS for the Timbers. Entering Sunday’s game, Whitecaps FC have fallen in three of their last four away fixtures, resulting in a 2-4-0 record in their previous six road games. Pedro Morales leads the team in goals (5) and assists (3).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Despite holding a 24-12 edge in shots and maintaining 61 percent possession, the Portland Timbers fell 2-1 to New York City FC before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Portland scored 10 minutes into the second half when forward Fanendo Adi drove at the defense, powering his way into the box before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
The Timbers and Whitecaps FC have met 85 times since 1975. Since joining MLS in 2011, Portland leads the regular-season series 6-3-6, with Vancouver taking a 2-1 win in their most recent meeting on May 7 at BC Place. At Providence Park, the Timbers have only lost to Vancouver on one occasion in eight regular-season games played, producing a 3-1-4 record since joining MLS. The Timbers have scored 13 goals at home against Whitecaps FC during the regular-season, four more than Vancouver during that stretch. The two sides met in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time at Providence Park last season on Nov. 1, 2015, with the Timbers earning a shutout in 0-0 draw against Whitecaps FC in the first leg of the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals.
LAST TIME VS. WHITECAPS FC
The Portland Timbers fell to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 before 22,120 fans at BC Place on Saturday, May 7, marking only the second loss in Vancouver for the Timbers in seven games played since joining MLS in 2011.
SCOUTING WHITECAPS FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC enter Sunday’s match on a three-game winning streak, defeating Toronto FC 4-3 and the Chicago Fire 2-1, since facing the Timbers at BC Place on May 7. Sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings, Whitecaps FC have played six away games heading into Sunday’s fixture at Providence Park, producing a 2-4-0 record during that stretch. In their last four away matches, Whitecaps FC have won just one game on the road, falling to D.C. United, Real Salt Lake and New York City FC, before securing three points against Toronto FC at BMO Field most recently. Midfielder Pedro Morales leads the team in goals (5) and assists (3), while forward Octavio Rivero leads the team in overall shots (20) and shots on goal (12).
HEAD TO HEAD
Sunday’s match marks the 86th meeting (31-36-18) between Portland and Vancouver across all eras (since 1975), including playoffs. Since joining MLS, the Timbers lead the regular-season series 6-3-6, tying Portland’s record for the most wins against a single team in MLS play. Sunday’s match also marks the first time the Cascadia-rivals will play twice within 16 days of each other, previously meeting at BC Place on May 7. The Timbers have scored 24 goals against Vancouver since 2011, marking the most goals against a single MLS club for Portland.
