MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 59 degrees
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Kevin Klinger, Mike Kampmeinert Fourth Official: Ricardo Salazar
VAR: Dave Gantar
LOCAL TV: PDX TV (KPDX)
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter)
English Radio: KXL 101.1 FM
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst),Tom Kolker (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will hit the road for a second straight week, traveling to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on PDX TV (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on KXL 101.1FM (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Heading into Saturday’s match, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last four league games, losing just once in their last eight league games (5-1-2). Real Salt Lake enters Saturday’s match coming off a 3-2 loss to Vancouver on Sept. 9. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak. Forwards Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan rank tied for the team-lead in goals (7). Midfielder Albert Rusnak leads all players for assists in 2017 with 11.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers defeated New York City FC 1-0 before 23,651 fans at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 9, recording their second clean-sheet victory in the team’s last four games played. With the 1-0 win, the Timbers moved into first place in the Western Conference standings with 44 points, two points clear of Seattle Sounders FC.
LAST TIME VS. REAL SALT LAKE
The Portland Timbers fell 4-1 to Real Salt Lake before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on July 19, 2017.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the 19th league contest between Portland and Real Salt Lake, dating back to the start of the 2011 MLS campaign. Entering Saturday's match, the Timbers have only lost once in nine games played against Real Salt Lake, dating back to June 7, 2014. The lone loss took place earlier this season when the two teams faced each other at Providence Park on July 19, when the Timbers fell 4-1 to RSL after receiving two red cards in the second half. Saturday’s game marks the first match at Rio Tinto Stadium between the two clubs since June 18, 2016. That match finished in a 2-2 draw in Sandy, Utah.
SCOUTING REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake enters Saturday’s match coming off a 3-2 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sept. 9. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak, with the team previously beating the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 on Aug. 23 before defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Aug. 26. Forwards Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan rank tied for the team-lead in goals (7). Midfielder Albert Rusnak leads all players for assists in 2017 with 11.
