MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 88 degrees
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Eric Weisbrod Fourth Official: Alejandro Mariscal
Local TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter), Nat Borchers (field analyst)
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
Playing their second game in five days, the Portland Timbers will return to Providence Park this week, playing host to the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, July 5. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), Wednesday’s match 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). Heading into Wednesday’s match, the Timbers (7-7-5, 26pts) are unbeaten in their last two matches in league play, recently earning a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on July 1. The Chicago Fire (10-3-4, 34 pts) coming off a 4-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 1. Forward Nemanja Nikolic leads the team in goals scored with 16, which ranks as the most in the league this season.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Midfielder Diego Valeri scored his 10th goal of the season, as the Portland Timbers earned a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on July 1.
LAST TIME VS. CHICAGO FIRE
The Portland Timbers battled the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 draw before 14,729 fans at Toyota Park on Saturday evening. Midfielder Diego Valeri recorded his fifth goal of the season for the Timbers.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Wednesday’s match marks the eighth league meeting between Portland and Chicago since the start of the 2011 MLS campaign. During that stretch, the Timbers have remained unbeaten against the Fire in league play, compiling a 4-0-3 record during that stretch, including a 3-0-1 mark at Providence Park. In the most recent meeting between the two sides on May 28, 2016, Portland and Chicago battled to a 1-1 draw at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., with midfielder Diego Valeri scoring the Timbers lone goal in the match to record his second career finish against Chicago.
SCOUTING CHICAGO
The Chicago Fire enters Wednesday’s contest with the most points in the league. Most recently, the Fire is coming off a 4-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 1. Away from home, the Fire is 2-3-3 in eight games to begin the season. Forward Nemanja Nikolic leads the team in goals scored with 16, which ranks as the most in the league this season.
GENEROUS PLAY
The Timbers have recorded 15 assists in their last 12 games played, recording 27 overall assists this season. Overall, Portland has five different players with three or more assists for Portland this season, with Diego Valeri leading the way with six assists. Additionally, midfielder David Guzmán delivered his fifth assist of the season on June 25. It was his third assist direct from a set piece this season, tying him for the MLS lead in that category.
