The Seattle Sounders are visiting the rival Portland Timbers on Sunday for the first of three meetings this season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:45 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch for FREE on Apple TV. It will also be televised on FOX.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 93.3 KJR FM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 2-5-4 (10 points, 11th West), Portland: 2-5-4 (10 points, 12th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: WDWLL, Timbers: LLDDD
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders and Timbers drew 2-2 at Lumen Field on Sept. 2, 2023. Raúl RuidÃaz and Léo Chú gave Seattle a first-half advantage, but a 53rd-minute Chú red card helped Portland strike twice in the second half to steal a point.
OPEN CUP CONGESTION: Following a thrilling 5-4 win in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation against Louisville City in the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, the Sounders head to Portland preparing for their third match in a week. The Timbers, meanwhile, are one of the 21 MLS teams not competing in this year’s installment of the tournament.
THOMAS COMES UP CLUTCH: The Sounders will hope to ride some momentum into this Sunday’s clash on the back of goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, who played hero against Louisville. He made three saves in the shootout before stepping up and firing home the winning penalty himself to book Seattle’s place in the Round of 16.
ROLDAN RETURNS: Following his two-match suspension for a red card against the Vancouver Whitecaps, fullback Alex Roldan, who captained the Sounders against Louisville, is available for selection this weekend.
RIGHTING THE SHIP: Portland has had Seattle’s number over the past few seasons. The Timbers are unbeaten in their last six meetings with the Sounders (4-0-2) dating back to August 2021.
SHIFTING MOMENTUM: Seattle and Portland are trending in opposite directions. After a slow start, the Sounders are now unbeaten in three matches in all competitions, while the Timbers, who began 2024 strongly, are winless in their last seven contests.
NEW COACH IN TOWN: Phil Neville is in his first season in charge in Portland after spending two years managing Inter Miami CF. Neville is a former England international and made over 500 appearances for Manchester United and Everton.
WIDE-OPEN GAMES: The Timbers have played some of the most wide-open soccer in the league this season and goals should be expected on both ends. Portland is third in MLS in goals scored (20) while owning the second-most goals allowed (23). Only the San Jose Earthquakes (26) have conceded more than the Timbers.
