Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders: How to watch, preview, match chat [1:30]

The Portland Timbers are on the road again, this time headed north into the hostile Land of Grunge to take on the Seattle Sounders in the first official Cascadia Cup match of 2018.

The Timbers remain unbeaten in 9 league matches — 11 matches in all competitions — while the Sounders are also enjoying one of their best runs of form this year, having strung together a 1-1-1 record over their last three games. As the old adage goes, however, form goes out the window in a derby and with both teams having plenty to play for, today’s match should be hotly contested as always.

In addition to keeping their unbeaten streak alive, the Timbers need to get back to winning ways. While their three draws in the last three games have represented acceptable results, the dropped points at home against the LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City have seen the Timbers fall back into the pack in the Western Conference. A win at Seattle could move the Timbers back into striking distance of LAFC in the third place position and allow them to keep pace with the top of the table in the West.

For the Sounders, however, a result against the Timbers could mean more than the potential for a move up the standings; it would be a declaration that the Washingtonians are not dead yet. The Sounders have made a habit of dragging themselves back from the brink in each of their last two years and there are few matches that can turn the tide of a season like a match against a team that you really, truly do not like.

Previews

Storylines: “A team that depends on Will Bruin and Clint Dempsey, though things will be changing for the Sounders once the transfer window opens. It’s been announced that they have signed Raul Ruidiaz, who will play in the number nine and wear that same number. But right now, they have to make due with what they’ve got, and that ain’t much.”

And make sure to stop by the Rose City Forecast to make your match-day predictions.

Match Information

Watch it on: FOX

Where: CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA

When: Saturday, June 30th at 1:30 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 6-3-5, 5th place in the Western Conference, drew 1-1 at Atlanta United

Seattle Sounders: 3-8-3, 10th place in the Western Conference, drew 1-1 vs. Chicago Fire