Portland Timbers at San Jose Earthquakes: How to Watch, Previews, Match Chat [7:30]

The Portland Timbers have embarked on their final road trip of the 2017 regular season, heading south to take on the San Jose Earthquakes in a match that could sew up a playoff spot for the Timbers if the results fall their way. The Quakes, however, still have playoff hopes of their own and will need a win at Avaya Stadium if they want to have any chance of beating out Real Salt Lake, FC Dallas, and the Houston Dynamo for the final two spots in the West.

Previews

Storylines: “They’re really susceptible to the same thing Orlando City was. Get the full-backs in 1v1 situations and use through balls to split the center-backs. Their only scoring threat is an aging Chris Wondolowski who leads the Quakes with 12 goals; the next closest is Marco Ureña with 4. Let that sink in. I don’t think Dom Kinnear was the problem in San Jose.”

By The Numbers: “The conclusion? If the Timbers win in San Jose, they have an 87.3% chance of clinching a playoff berth this week.”

“The Timbers can also clinch with a tie against San Jose, if RSL lose to the Galaxy (38%). This math is a lot easier. Essentially, if the Timbers tie, they have a 38% chance of clinching a playoff berth this week.”

Stop by the Rose City Forecast to make your match predictions.

Match Information

Watch it on: KPDX

Where: Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA

When: Saturday, September 30th at 7:30 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 13-10-8, 2nd place in the Western Conference, 3-0 home win over Orlando City SC

San Jose Earthquakes: 11-14-6, 8th place in the Western Conference, 4-1 home loss to Chicago Fire