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The Portland Timbers have headed up north to take on the Seattle Sounders this evening in a match that both sides must win to keep their post-season ambitions alive. The Timbers are barely clinging to the last spot in the Western Conference, while the Sounders are charging their way up the table after making some big changes that they hope will turn their season around.
Of course, it is not just the regular season standings that hang in the balance today: the Cascadia Cup is still undecided and while the Timbers are currently in the lead, that could change if they start dropping points to their rivals.
“It isn't about the Sounders struggling at home. It's about them being a bad team. They have the eighth worst home record on the season and some of that is boosted by their last three games in the Emerald City (5-0 win, 1-1 draw and 2-1 win). But they also have the eighth worst road record.
Lots of small things happened in many games where the breaks just didn't go Seattle's way. They were probably just an average MLS side with horrible luck until seven games ago. Now, they look like a good team that's getting all the breaks. Maybe that's the way of sports where better teams also get better luck. But the change is clear, luck is again on Seattle's side.”
Match Information
Watch it on: FOX Sports 1
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA
Portland Timbers: 8-9-8, 6th place in the Western Conference
Seattle Sounders: 8-12-3, 9th place in the Western Conference