Portland Timbers vs. Chivas USA Match Thread [7:30]

The Portland Timbers host Chivas USA tonight in a match that neither team can afford to lose if they want to keep their post-season goals within reach. For the Timbers a win could mean a move ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps and a tie-breaker away from being above the red line. For Chivas a win means leapfrogging the San Jose Earthquakes and ending a three game losing skid.

Here is all the information that you need for today's match:

Previews

Match Preview: "Although the Timbers will need to deal with Torres effectively, the most effective way to shut down the chief Chivas goalscorer is to choke off his service from the wings, something the Timbers have been keying on all week. Leandro Barrera and Marvin Chavez have been Chivas's principal threats from out wide in recent weeks, providing the combination of speed and skill on the ball that has given the Timbers fits at times this year."

Preview Interview: "If we're using the measuring stick of, say, MLS as a whole, then it's too early to say Chivas USA are good. They have good games, they make good plays sometimes, but consistency is a major problem, they have obvious depth issues, and they have some glaring holes among some of the positions. They have improved from last year, and look like a good bet to improve on last year's terrible record, but that's relative. Compared to the rest of MLS, there's a lot of room for improvement."

General Information

Watch it on: KPTV

Kick off: 7:30 PM PT at Providence Park

Portland Timbers: 6-7-9, 7th place in the Western Conference

Chivas USA: 6-10-5, 9th place in the Western Conference