MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City, Colo.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 72 degrees
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Jeff Muschik, Kyle Atkins Fourth Official: Edvin Jurisevic
LOCAL TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (reporter)
English Radio: KUFO 970 AM
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
Heading into Saturday’s contest, the Timbers, who have won three of their last four matches across all competitions, have produced an 8-1-3 regular-season record during the month of October, dating back to the 2013 season, including a 5-0-1 away record during that stretch. Colorado heads into Saturday’s match with one win in its last five league matches, most recently playing Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 3-3 draw at BC Place on Sept. 24. At home, Colorado has produced a 9-0-5 record in 14 games played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, including a 1-0-3 record in its last four home matches. Midfielder Shkelzen Gashi leads the team in goals (7), while ranking tied for the most assists on the team (4).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing their second match in four days, the Portland Timbers scored two second-half goals to defeat C.D. Dragon 2-1 in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Sept. 27. Forward Fanendo Adi opened the scoring for the Timbers, while midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute. The Timbers can advance out of the group stage and into the knockout round with a win against Deportivo Saprissa.
LAST TIME VS. COLORADO
The Portland Timbers pushed their unbeaten streak to six games and recorded their second shutout over their last four games, earning a point on the road with a scoreless draw against the Colorado Rapids on July 4.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match between Portland and Colorado marks the 15th meeting in the all-time MLS series between the two teams. Portland enters the match unbeaten in its last five regular-season games (3-0-2) against Colorado and has lost just once against the Western Conference side in league play since March 30, 2013. Saturday’s match marks the second of three meetings between the two clubs in the 2016 regular season, with both teams set to meet again on Oct. 16 at Providence Park. In their previous meeting on July 4, Portland and Colorado battled to a scoreless draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as the Timbers pushed their unbeaten streak to six games.
SCOUTING COLORADO
Colorado heads into Saturday’s match with one win in its last five league matches, most recently playing Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 3-3 draw at BC Place on Sept. 24. At home, Colorado has produced a 9-0-5 record in 14 games played, including a 1-0-3 record in its last four home matches. Midfielder Shkelzen Gashi leads the team in goals (7), while ranking tied for the most assists (4).
