At practice this week Caleb Porter told the press that the Portland Timbers need to end the season at 51 or more points to make the playoffs. To get there for their current total of nine points, the Timbers will need to start picking up wins, starting with today's match against the Columbus Crew.
Here is all the information that you need for today's match:
Previews
Match Preview: "The addition of Powell as a fullback in the right flank will have a similar effect on the Timbers's defense. In this case, however, Powell is a much more attack-minded player than any of the other players along the Timbers' back line. To that end, it will be the responsibility of both Jack Jewsbury to curtail his own runs and the Timbers' center backs to diligently watch the space left open behind Powell when he does get forward."
Preview Interview: "The biggest issue has been an inability to score goals. It has been three matches since Columbus put the ball in the net and four games since they did so from the run of play. The Crew are conceding a little more than a goal a game, which is certainly enough to get results yet they aren't scoring the goals to help the defense."
Match Information
Watch it on: ROOT Sports
Kick off: 7:30 pm pacific at Providence Park
Portland Timbers: 1-3-6, 9th place in the Western Conference
Columbus Crew: 3-4-3, 6th place in the Eastern Conference