MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 75 degrees
Referee: Dave Gantar
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Jonathan Johnson Fourth Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Drew Fischer
Local TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline 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
Coming off a 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls, the Timbers will face a quick turnaround, with the team set to play host to the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Colorado 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). Entering Wednesday’s match, the Timbers (10-9-7, 37pts) have won the second-most games at home dating back to the start of the 2016 campaign, with Portland compiling a 19-5-6 record during that stretch. The Rapids (6-13-4, 22pts) enter Wednesday’s match coming off a 1-0 home loss to D.C. United on Aug. 19. Forward Dominique Badji leads the team in goals (6) and assists (5).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Friday night. Midfielder Diego Valeri scored for a fourth straight game to record his 14th finish of the season, extending his MLS career tally to 51 goals, while forward Darren Mattocks recorded his second goal of the season.
LAST TIME VS. THE RAPIDS
In their final home match of the 2016 MLS regular season, the Portland Timbers defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Oct. 16, 2016.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Wednesday’s match between Portland and Colorado marks the 17th meeting in the all-time MLS series between the two teams. Portland enters the match with just one loss in its last seven regular-season games (4-1-2) against Colorado, with the two teams splitting points in the regular-season series (1-1-1) in 2016. At Providence Park, the Timbers are unbeaten in six straight games against the Rapids, with Portland’s last loss against Colorado taking place on June 11, 2011. During that six-game stretch, Portland has outscored the Rapids 12-2.
SCOUTING COLORADO
The Colorado Rapids enter Wednesday’s match coming off a 1-0 loss to D.C. United at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Aug. 19. The club will be led by interim head coach Steve Cooke after parting ways with former head coach Pablo Mastroeni. The Rapids are winless in 10 games played on the road this season with an 0-8-2 record. Forward Dominique Badji leads the team in goals (6) and assists (5).
