Cascadia Cup: Portland Timbers @ Vancouver Whitecaps Links and Match Thread [4:00 pm]

This is it. The Portland Timbers have been handed chance after chance after chance to secure the 2012 Cascadia Cup trophy. Each time they had a big game to play in order to win it they faltered, allowing the trophy to slip that much farther away. Amazingly enough, however, they're still in the lead to get the trophy. All they need to do it win today and it's theirs. Easier said than done, right?

So this is it. The final chance. There won't be anymore chances for them after today. It's literally time for them to show up or pack it in for the season. Not only for the players, but also for the staff. Hopefully (and this is saying a lot right now) Gavin will have learned from the Seattle Sounders match that Cascadia Cup matches are not a good time to put in players as a trial for next season. We -- the fans -- actually give a crap about this game...

Here is all the information you need for today's match:

General Information

Watch it on: ROOT SPORTS

Kick off: 4:00 pm at BC Place Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver Whitecaps: 5th in the West with 42 points

Portland Timbers: 8th in the West with 30 points

Links

Cascadia rivalry, playoff spot add fuel to home finale | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC look to make history in home finale at BC Place on Sunday | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

KeyBank Match-up: Bright Dike vs. Jay DeMerit | Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers Need to Win Tomorrow; How Confident Are You? [Poll] - Stumptown Footy
If the Timbers want to win the Cascadia Cup trophy, they'll need to get over their road woes.

We're Gonna Win the Cascadia Cup (And the League, Too) - Stumptown Footy
We're gonna win the Cup; we're gonna win the Cup. I don't know how; I don't know when. We're gonna win the Cup.

Cascadia Cup Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps Limping into Playoffs - Stumptown Footy
The Vancouver Whitecaps have had an up and down year, starting the season with four straight clean sheets and taking just four losses into the month of July, but some mid-season changes to key personnel seemed to take the wind out of their sails.

Final Chance at a Road Win - Stumptown Footy
Which outcome will we see Sunday night?

Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Last Chance at the Cascadia Cup [Poll] - Stumptown Footy
This morning the Timbers held their final training at Jeld-Wen Field before heading north to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps tomorrow afternoon. Hear from Sal Zizzo and speculate on tomorrow's line up in today's training report.

Final Thoughts

I don't want tonight's match to be a "trial" for players. It was a shame that Gavin Wilkinson believed that arguably the biggest game for the Portland Timbers this season was little more than a trial for 2013 for some players, hence the odd line up. I get that there's not much left in this season and that planning and preparation for the following year has already started, but the Cascadia Cup actually matters to the fans. There's no reason why we shouldn't see the Timbers' true best XI out there today.