MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Forecast: Rain, 76 degrees
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Hosking Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos
Local TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
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), Fletcher Johnson (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will play their first of two matches in five days this week, traveling to face Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium on Wednesday, June 21. Beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Minnesota United FC will be broadcast live on PDX TV (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Wednesday’s match marks the second MLS meeting between the Timbers and Minnesota United. Both teams previously met in the 2017 season-opening match on March 3, with Portland taking a convincing 5-1 victory at Providence Park. Minnesota United FC enter Wednesday’s match coming off back-to-back road losses in league play, falling 3-0 to Sporting Kansas City on June 3 and 1-0 to Real Salt Lake on June 17. Forward Christian Ramirez leads the team in goals (8).
LAST MATCH RECAP
After conceding a pair of goals in the second half, the Portland Timbers fell 2-1 to the Colorado Rapids before 15,461 fans at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 17. Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored the Timbers lone goal in the match, recording his second goal of the season in the first half.
LAST TIME VS. MINNESOTA
The Portland Timbers defeated Minnesota United FC 5-1 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on March 3, marking the Timbers’ largest victory in a season-opening match during the team’s MLS era.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Wednesday’s match marks the second MLS meeting between the Timbers and Minnesota United. Both teams previously met in the 2017 season-opening match on March 3, with Portland taking a convincing 5-1 victory at Providence Park, which marked the team’s largest victory in a season opener in the club’s MLS era. Forward Fanendo Adi and midfielder Diego Valeri each recorded a brace in the win, along with defender Lawrence Olum, who notched his first goal for the club. Heading into Wednesday’s match, the Timbers have produced a 17-13-14 record against Minnesota-based teams, dating back to 1975.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Minnesota United FC enters Wednesday’s match coming off back-to-back road losses in league play, falling 3-0 to Sporting Kansas City on June 3 and 1-0 to Real Salt Lake on June 17. United FC is 4-3-0 at TCF Bank Stadium this season, most recently defeating Orlando City SC 1-0 at home on May 27. Forward Christian Ramirez leads the team in goals with eight goals, while midfielder Kevin Molino ranks second with five.
