Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Preseason Match Thread [5:00]

The Portland Timbers take on the Vancouver Whitecaps today in the opening day of the Simple Invitational. Both teams will be looking to start the upcoming MLS season on a high note after a pair of middling finishes in the 2014 season.

Previews

Match Preview: "There will be at least one change from the Timbers previous lineups, however, as Liam Ridgewell is back with the team after returning from his month-and-a-half loan to English Championship side Wigan Athletic. Ridgewell should displace Norberto Paparatto in the starting XI, providing our first look at his much-anticipated pairing with Nat Borchers. Lining up alongside Borchers should free up Ridgewell to play a much more aggressive game than we have seen from him alongside Paparatto and will bring a new dimension to the Timbers' back line."

Preview Interview: "Pa Modou Kah, who obviously Portland supporters will know very well, was recently signed and not only has Kah blended into the squad nicely, he has also impressed in training as well. There is some thought that Kah might end up as third on the depth list behind Waston and Rodriguez, but Kah has impressed enough to at least make some of us question that perhaps Rodriguez won't be an automatic lock to partner Waston after all."

Match Information

Watch it on: Streaming at Timbers.com or embedded below

Kickoff: 5:00 pm pacific at Providence Park in Portland, OR

Portland Timbers: 1-0-2 in preseason, 12-9-13 in 2014

Vancouver Whitecaps: 2-1-1 in preseason, 12-8-14 in 2014

Live Stream