Sunday’s Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders Cascadia Cup Clash Moved to 7:30 P.M.

With temperatures expected to hit the upper 90’s on Sunday, this weekend’s rivalry match between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders has been rescheduled, moving from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to help beat the heat. As a result of the change in time, the match will now be broadcast on ESPN2 rather than on ESPN

While the ambient temperature was expected to still be on the rise at kickoff, playing on the Providence Park pitch in the early afternoon sun would be punishing for players and represents a risk both to their health and the health of those in the stands. To that end, the Timbers worked with the league and broadcaster ESPN to move the match later in the day when the heat will not be quite so stifling.

Temperatures at field level can see a significant spike while in direct sun in the early afternoon and the air above the turf is often thirty to fifty degrees more hot than the air above grass in a similar situation.

Despite the change it will still be hot in the Providence Park on Sunday, so make sure to stay hydrated and stay cool as you cheer on the Timbers.

The Timbers’ press release:

KICKOFF FOR TIMBERS SUNDAY HOME MATCH AGAINST SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC CHANGED TO 7:30 P.M. PT Time changed due to excessive heat forecast for Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – Major League Soccer today announced that kickoff for the Portland Timbers match against Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Sunday, June 25, has been changed to 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) due to excessive heat forecast for the Portland, Ore., area.

Originally scheduled for 1 p.m. (Pacific), the time change for Sunday’s match eliminates direct sunlight on the field during the game, allowing for significantly lower on-field temperatures. Sunday’s match against Sounders FC will now be televised on ESPN2, with a pregame broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Local radio broadcasts will occur on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).