Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream

Last season was a tough one for a Portland Timbers team that was expected to contend for MLS Cup, and it’s not clear if they’ve done enough in the offseason to catch up with their rivals. Their first choice XI is excellent, but they’re missing arguably their two best players to start the season, and their depth is questionable.

Real Salt Lake are also in a bit of a transition period, with their long-time defensive anchor Nat Borchers heading to the Timbers this offseason. Second-year coach Jeff Cassar continued with the roster and style that Jason Kreis deployed while he was with the team, but he’s starting to make changes, and there might be some growing pains early in the season.

Both teams were hit hard by injuries at the end of last season and in preseason. Portland, in particular, are in a very tough spot. Not only is star midfielder Will Johnson out, but his backup, Ben Zemanski, tore his ACL in preseason. Caleb Porter will have his hands full trying to keep his midfield together to start the season. He’s also missing MVP-caliber attacking midfielder Diego Valeri, but Gaston Fernandez is a useful replacement, even if he’s a different kind of player.

RSL haven’t been hit quite as badly, but will still miss Joao Plata considerably. They’re also thin in defense with backup Justen Glad out and starting left back Demar Phillips questionable for this match.

Key player - Whoever plays CM for Portland

With Johnson and Zemanski out, it’s a mystery who’s going to lock down the midfield spot next to Diego Chara. Rodney Wallace could move back into the center, or Porter could see what 33-year-old Jack Jewsbury has left in the tank, or he could throw rookie Nick Besler into the fire. The choice isn’t obvious, but whoever plays will have to be on their game right away to contain Javier Morales and Luis Gil.

Key matchup - Kyle Beckerman vs. Gaston Fernandez

While Fernandez is much more of a forward than Valeri and the Portland lineup is likely to be listed as 4-4-2, Fernandez is still going to drop deep to find the ball and hit forward passes to his teammates. His starting position might be different than Valeri’s, but the spots he eventually plays passes or shoots from won’t be that different. That means he’s going to see as much of Kyle Beckerman as the RSL defenders, and Beckerman’s arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league.

Out: Will Johnson (leg), Diego Valeri (knee), Ben Zemanski (knee). In doubt: Michael Nanchoff (hip), Diego Chara (calf), Jorge Villafana (muscle strain)

Out: Joao Plata (foot), John Stertzer (toe), Justen Glad (knee). In doubt: Demar Phillips (hamstring), Pecka (hip).

Match date/time: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. local

Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

TV: MLS Direct Kick (U.S.), ROOT Sports (Portland local), My TV Utah (RSL local)

Online: MLS Live (U.S.)