In front of a predicted crowd of 67,000 plus, the Sounders and Timbers will renew the best rivalry in MLS tonight at CenturyLink Field as Clint Dempsey makes his first home start since joining Seattle earlier this month.
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers: Preview and TV schedule
The Sounders and Timbers renew the best rivalry in MLS tonight at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Timbers could be facing a midfield crisis with Diego Chara suspended and the health of Will Johnson, Ben Zemanski and Jack Jewsbury up in the air. If all three can play, they should be set but if not, Kalif Alhassan and Steven Evans are the best bets to take over.
The Sounders are in pretty good shape Eddie Johnson back and Clint Dempey starting to settle in. It will be the first home match in Seattle for the US international and the already charged up crowd will be eve more amped to welcome him. Obafemi Martins and Djimi Traore are both expected to start despite missing some training during the week.
Seattle Sounders injuries and suspensions
Out: Steve Zakuani (sports hernia), Philip Lund (plantar faciitis), Josh Ford (patella fracture). In Doubt: Obafemi Martins (ankle), Djimi Traore (ankle), Alex Caskey (ankle).
Potland Timbers injuries and suspensions
Out: Diego Chara (suspened), Futty Danso (foot), Bright Dike (knee), David Horst (leg), Brent Richards (knee), Mikael Silvestre (knee), Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (concussion). In Doubt: Jack Jewsbury (ankle), Will Johnson (shoulder), Frederic Piquionne (ankle), Ben Zemanski (undisclosed).
For the Sounders Martins and Traore are both listed as questionable but are expected to play after being held out of training much of the week. Portland will be missing Diego Chara who is suspened for yellow card accumulation while defender Futty Danso is still sidelined with a foot injury. Will Johnson missed the Timbers’ match on Wednesday and will likely be a day off decision.
Projected lineups
Seattle Sounders: Michael Gspurning, Leonardo Gonzalez, Djimi Traore, Patrick Ianni, DeAndre Yedlin, Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso, Clint Dempsey, Mauro Rosales, Obafemi Martins, Eddie Johnson.
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts, Michael Harrington, Pa-Modou Kah, Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Alvas Powell, Ben Zemanski, Kalif Alhassan, Deigo Valeri, Rodney Wallace, Ryan Johnson, Darlington Nagbe.
Match Date/Time: 7 p.m. local, 11 p.m. ET
Venue: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: ESPN2 (U.S.)
Online: ESPN3, MLS Live (delayed)
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