Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake: How To Watch, Previews, Match Chat [6:30]

The Portland Timbers' season is on the line as the team once again comes up against Real Salt Lake in a vital match up. With all too many teams clustered around the red line the Timbers need points and there is no time like the present to go and get them -- especially with only three games to go in the Timbers' 5th MLS season.

No Will Johnson, probably no Jack Jewsbury, and a still sputtering attack means that we will see some changes tonight to the Timbers' line up. Who will it be and will they have what it takes to get the Timbers through this already storied matchup?

Previews

Match Preview: "RSL have been the bane of the Timbers' existence since 2011, so of course they would be the team just three points back, hosting the Timbers in week 33 of the MLS season. After suffering through a season of spotty form that left RSL as low as 9th place just over a month ago, the Kings of Utah have rattled off wins in four of their last six matches, including a 3-0 home win over the LA Galaxy, dragging the team back into striking distance of the playoffs."

The Timbers' Midfield Conundrum: "So, the Timbers find themselves with three options: play Diego Chara and George Fochive at holding midfield, play Diego Chara and someone else at holding midfield, or switch things up entirely and go with just a single defensive midfielder for the match. The safe bet is Chara and Fochive -- although that will leave the Timbers with either nobody or Nick Besler as the team's reinforcements on the bench -- and the Timbers have generally been a safe bet kind of team when it comes to changing things up this year, but if there was ever a time to bet big it is now, with the season hanging in the balance."

Match Information

Watch it on: ROOT Sports

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. PT at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT

Portland Timbers: 12-11-8, 7th place in the Western Conference, LDLWL

Real Salt Lake: 11-12-8, 9th place in the Western Conference, LWWLW