2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 6
Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Providence Park – Portland
August 23 – 10:00 PM ET
TV: FS1, TSN 1/3
STREAMING: FOX Sports App in US; TSN App in Canada
Fresh off capturing the MLS is Back Tournament, the Portland Timbers return to the friendly confines of Providence Park to take on Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle Sounders FC in the Week 6 finale on Sunday.
Sebastian Blanco has officially taken over as the Timbers star thanks to a sterling performance in Orlando, which earned him the award for Player of the Tournament presented by adidas. The Timbers went unbeaten in seven contests in the Orlando heat, winning the title in impressive fashion and claiming the Concacaf Champions League berth that with it.
The Sounders were expected to be an MLS is Back contender, especially after winning MLS Cup last November, but endured a difficult itme in Orlando. After a slow start, the Sounders triumphed in a must-win game to reach the knockout round. There, LAFC earned a measure of revenge for last year's playoff ouster and eliminated the Rave Green emphatically in the Round of 16.
Pre-match reads
- Timbers to add in-stadium supporters' chants during Sounders game
- Against Timbers, Sounders want to shed rep as slow starters
- Timbers ready for "best version" of Sounders
Portland Timbers
The Timbers' unbeaten streak in Orlando came despite Giovanni Savarese rotating his roster. That proves the depth, which will be important with matches set to come thick and fast. But it also creates some, call it good problems to have. Up top is probably the most intriguing situation, as Jeremy Ebobisse has fought tooth and nail to hold onto his place under a challenge from talented (and expensive) offseason arrivals Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Felipe Mora.
There is reported interest in Ebobisse from Europe, with Belgian Pro League clubs Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp as well as Eredivisie side Heerenveen named as suitors.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Dairon Asprilla (M) - left knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Yimmi Chara (M) - right thigh injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Dario Zuparic (D) - personal reasons
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Seattle Sounders FC
Sitting two points behind the third-place Timbers in fifth place are the Sounders. There was understandable disappointment following an MLS is Back ouster to LAFC in a match coach Brian Schmetzer considered a "measuring stick." There were some glaring defensive snafus in Orlando, which could be a cause of concern at the restart of the season. The Sounders also sorely missed the influential Joao Paulo in Orlando. He should finally get to combine with Nico Lodeiro for the first time in the restart.
One thing is certain, for the Sounders there's no better way to restart their season than against their fiercest rivals.
"It's great to just get after it right away playing against a good side, two champions, the reigning champions of MLS Cup and MLS is Back," Cristian Roldan said. "It's great to just get back into it, we obviously think that this game is going to be one of the more intense ones of the restart so to be able to just get that out of the way and measure ourselves right away is something that’s going to be really important for us."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Xavier Arreaga (D) - right quad strain
- OUT: Jordy Delem (M) - right hamstring strain
- OUT: Danny Leyva (M) - left foot fracture
- OUT: Trey Muse (GK) - concussion
- QUESTIONABLE: Shandon Hopeau (M) - right adductor strain
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Timbers
- Timbers: 6 wins, 27 goals
- Sounders: 4 wins, 22 goals
- 3 draws
Officials
- Referee: Jair Marrufo
- Assistant Referees: Jeff Hosking, Mike Rottersman
- 4th Official: Timothy Ford
- VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
