With all eyes on the teams with bigger names, or in the Supporters’ Shield race on the final day, the Vancouver Whitecaps have flown a bit under the radar this season. But they’ve had their best ever campaign in MLS, and they’re favorites to advance past their rivals, the Portland Timbers.
Timbers vs. Whitecaps: Preview, time, TV schedule and how to watch online
A Cascadia derby could be the most fun of Sunday’s big block of MLS Cup Playoff games.
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Vancouver have gone a bit cold recently, though, with fellow Western Conference bye-winners FC Dallas getting the better of them in October, with a win and a draw. The Whitecaps had failed to win in the month’s final season until last week, when they righted the ship with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
Portland got off to a disappointing start this season, but were much better in the second half and did well to secure a playoff spot in a tough West. This week, they participated in one of the best penalty shootouts in MLS history, bettering Sporting Kansas City over 11 rounds, with their goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey converting a penalty and saving one in the final round to win the match for his team.
When they last met
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Vancouver didn’t lose to Portland in their three meetings this season, even though two of them were in Oregon. They won the first Cascadia Cup match of the season at home in dramatic fashion, thanks to a 90th minute winner by Robert Earnshaw. Their second match was a 0-0 draw, and they drew again in their final match, 1-1, with Jordan Harvey and Will Johnson picking up red cards. Their putting a beating on each other in those matches allowed Seattle Sounders to win this year’s Cascadia Cup.
Key player -- Darlington Nagbe
His goal and assist numbers might not look too impressive, but Nagbe’s pace, tricky dribbling and willingness to run at the defense constantly causes problems, opening up space for his teammates. But when he’s not sharp, the Timbers can struggle to create.
Key matchup -- Kekuta Manneh vs. Alvas Powell
Potential future USMNT star Manneh has had the best season of his career, and he’ll be matched up against another talented young player on Sunday in Powell. The Jamaican right back has been much improved this year, and he’ll have to be at his best to stop Manneh, who is faster with the ball at his feet than anyone in MLS.
Portland Timbers team injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben Zemanski (leg). In doubt: Will Johnson (leg).
Vancouver Whitecaps injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben McKendry (knee), Caleb Clarke (hamstring). In doubt: Nicolas Mezquida (hamstring), Cristian Techera (hamstring), Mauro Rosales (adductor).
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. local
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
TV: ESPN (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 5 (U.K.), TSN1 (Canada)
Online: Watch ESPN (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), TSN Go (Canada)
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