Timber Joey may be inactive Sunday afternoon when the Portland Timbers take on Toronto FC. TFC has only allowed a league-best five goals.
Toronto FC at Portland Timbers
Sunday, 4:00 p.m., Providence Park
TV: TSN2
Radio: Simulcast from TV on Web
Toronto FC will earn a share of first place in the Eastern Conference with a win in Portland Sunday afternoon.
Portland enters the match with only scoring more than one goal once this season and that was three weeks ago.
Portland Timbers 2016 Home Record: 2-1-1
Toronto FC 2016 Road Record: 3-2-2
SPOTLIGHT STORY: THE END OF A LONG ROAD TRIP
While much was made about Toronto FC starting the season with an eight-game road trip, it has come and gone and seven games later the club has amassed 11 points. Eight points in eight games? Check. The Reds will look to leave Portland with a win and even more momentum heading into their home opener next week.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME:
Top Spot on the Line
With a win in Portland Sunday afternoon, Toronto FC will be tied for first in the Eastern Conference with 14 points, well surpassing their goal of eights points during this season-opening road trip. Despite scoring only eight goals thus far and seven coming off Sebastian Giovinco’s boot, a chance to take down the defending champs to finish off a successful road trip would only further spark the anticipation of the team’s return to Toronto next week.
Consistency in the Back
For the most part, Greg Vanney’s club has had the same back-four on the pitch all season long and the consistency is proving dividends throughout this road trip. With the end nearly in sight and the team playing as well defensively as it has thus far, Steven Beitashour, Drew Moor, Justin Morrow and Damien Perquis will have to continue their stellar play if the Reds want to steal three points from the defending MLS Cup champs.
Struggling Champs
The Timbers haven’t started their MLS Cup defense the way they’d hoped and the team’s struggle to find the back of the net has resulted in nine points through their first eight games. The stat wouldn’t be as painful if the rest of the Western Conference hadn’t gotten off to the blazing start it has with the Colorado Rapds and Real Salt Lake leading the way with 17 points. Fanendo Adi leads the way for the Timbers with six goals.
Will’s Return to Portland
Will Johnson was brought over in the offseason to improve a desperate Toronto club and now the former Timbers captain returns to Portland for the first time. “I’m going to try and downplay [my return]as much as I can, but obviously I can’t wait to go back and see a lot of people in the stands – those fans were always very good to me – so it’ll be a treat,” said Johnson.
No Place Like Home
The home team has dominated the all-time series between the two clubs. The visiting team has never won, with the Timbers earning two wins and a draw at Providence Park, while TFC won the teams only clash at BMO last season.
Toronto FC
Portland
