Portland Timbers vs. Orlando City SC: How to watch, preview, match chat [7:00]

The matches just keep coming as the Portland Timbers get set to take on Orlando City SC today at Providence Park. The Timbers will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids with a strong performance against an in-form Orlando side.

With injuries, suspensions, and accumulation of minutes wearing on the team, expect big changes to the Timbers’ lineup for today’s cross conference match up. The Timbers back line is perhaps the hardest hit, with center backs Larrys Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, and Mo Jadama all coming back from injury, center back Julio Cascante serving the one match suspension for his red card against the Rapids, full back Jorge Villafana coming back from injury, and full back Marco Farfan out due to injury.

To get a result in this match the Timbers will need yet more of their depth players to step up. Players like Tomas Conechny and Marvin Loria will need to be difference makers as the Timbers look to manage the minutes of vital pieces like Diego Valeri or Diego Chara as the team heads into the depths of the mid-season.

Preview

Storylines: “O’Connor runs a 4-3-3 with Nani on the right wing. They’ll be short a forward, though, as Dom Dwyerpicked up a straight red in stoppage time against the Crew for violent conduct ... which I’m sure absolutely no one is upset about.”

And stop by the Rose City Forescast to make your match predictions.

Match Information

Watch it on: ESPN

Where: Providence Park in Portland, OR

When: Thursday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 7-8-3, 10th place in the Western Conference, drew 2-2 vs. Colorado Rapids

Orlando City SC: 7-9-4, 9th place in the Eastern Confernece, won 1-0 vs. Columbus Crew SC