2019 MLS Regular Season – Week 26
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake
Providence Park – Providence
August 31 – 10:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada
Six points and six spots in the Western Conference standings separate the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake, who square off Saturday night at Providence Park.
The Timbers (11-11-4) are three points below the playoff line following a 2-1 Cascadia Cup defeat by the Seattle Sounders last Friday night at Providence Park. Cristian Roldan put the visitors in front after 22 minutes and Raul Ruidiaz doubled the Sounders lead two minutes after the restart. Diego Valeri pulled Portland back a goal in the 54th minute via a deflected free kick and Brian Fernandez thought he had a late equalizer, but it was called back for offside.
Real Salt Lake (13-10-4) captured the Rocky Mountain Cup for a fourth straight year, defeating the Colorado Rapids, 2-0, at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. After Kei Kamara was sent off on a straight red card on a challenge against Brooks Lennon, RSL broke the stalemate on a Joao Plata penalty kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Jefferson Savarino tacked on an insurance goal three minutes later, as Real Salt Lake won for the fourth time in the last five games.
This is the second meeting between these clubs this season, with the Timbers winning 2-1 at the RioT on May 4. Steve Clark saved a first-half penalty kick and Sebastian Blanco and Valeri scored a goal in each half. Valeri's winner came six minutes after Sam Johnson equalized.
Portland vs. Real Salt Lake
Saturday, August 31 at 10:30 PM ET
Providence Park
Portland Timbers
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Marco Farfan (D) - left knee injury
- OUT: Jeff Attinella (GK)- right shoulder injury
- OUT: Modou Jadama (D)- left foot injury
- OUT: Larrys Mabiala (D) - left thigh injury
- OUT: Julio Cascante (D) - left thigh injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Cristhian Paredes (M) - right upper leg injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Zarek Valentin (D) - left upper leg injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Larrys Mabiala (D)
- International duty: None
Real Salt Lake
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jordan Allen (M) - knee injury, out for season
- OUT: Tony Beltran (D) - knee injury
- OUT: Nick Besler (M) - foot injury
- Suspended: Kyle Beckerman (M)
- Suspended after next caution: Sebastian Saucedo (M), Nick Besler (M), Everton Luiz (M)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Timbers
- Timbers: 3 wins, 13 goals
- Real Salt Lake: 2 wins, 12 goals
- 5 draws
Officials
- Referee: Nima Saghafi
- Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Adam Garner
- 4th Official: Ramy Touchan
- VAR: Geoff Gamble
