MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 68 degrees
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Eduardo Mariscal Fourth Official: Baboucarr Jallow
VAR: Drew Fischer
NATIONAL TV: FS1
Talent: Keith Costigan (play-by-play), Alexi Lalas (analyst), Paul Tenorio (sideline reporter)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (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 return to Providence Park for the first time in a month when the team plays host to Orlando City SC at home on Sunday, Sept. 24. Beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Orlando will be televised nationally on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Heading into the match, midfielder Diego Valeri scored a goal in an eighth straight game on Sept. 16, setting a new MLS record for consecutive games with a goal. Entering Sunday’s match, Orlando City SC is unbeaten in its last two league games, most recently coming off a 3-3 draw against Atlanta United FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 16. Forward Cyle Larin leads the team in goals scored (12).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Concluding a three-game road stretch, the Portland Timbers fell 2-1 against Real Salt Lake before 19,677 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium on Sept 16. Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri scored the team’s lone goal of the match, with the midfielder setting a new MLS record by scoring in his eighth consecutive game.
LAST TIME VS. ORLANDO CITY SC
The Portland Timbers were unable to overcome a two-goal halftime deficit on the road, falling 4-1 to Orlando City SC on April 3 in front of 31,114 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Sunday’s match marks the third all-time meeting between the two teams since Orlando City SC began MLS play in the 2015 campaign. Heading into Sunday’s contest, Orlando City ranks as one of just two MLS teams (Atlanta United FC) that the Timbers have not produced a win against in league play.
In the only meeting between the two teams at Providence Park, the Timbers fell 2-0 to Orlando City, conceding a goal in each half, despite finsihing with a 18-14 advantage in shots on April 12, 2015.
SCOUTING ORLANDO CITY SC
Entering Sunday’s match, Orlando City SC is unbeaten in its last two league games, most recently coming off a 3-3 draw against Atlanta United FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 16. Sunday’s match also marks a fourth straight road game for the Lions, dating back to Sept. 2, with Orlando scoring five goals in its last two road matches. Forward Cyle Larin leads the team in goals scored (12), while midfielder Kaka has the most assists (5) on the team.
