Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Preview and How to Watch

Vancouver Whitecaps FC visit Portland Timbers Saturday afternoon in the second of back-to-back Cascadia Cup match-ups for the Whitecaps.

The Cascadia Cup rolls on. On the heels of last week’s 2-1 win over Seattle, the Vancouver Whitecaps travel to Portland to face the Western Conference leaders.

A month ago, Portland was seemingly unstoppable and the only ‘W’ the Whitecaps had was in their name. Over the last three weeks, though, Portland have suddenly looked beatable and Vancouver has picked up a couple of wins and started to gel, making this an intriguing match-up.

We won’t get to reignite the Fanendo Adi vs. Kendall Waston battle from last season, as Adi has been handed a suspension by the Disciplinary Committee for violent conduct. But there are plenty of other reasons why this match should be worth watching.

Portland Timbers FC

• Current Record (W-L-D): 4-2-1 (1st in Western Conference)
• Last Time Out: 1-0 Loss at home to Sporting Kansas City
• Player to Watch For: Diego Valeri. Everyone’s favorite fantasy player, Valeri has five goals and two assists already this season. In Adi’s absence, Valeri will be expected to provide the bulk of the Timbers’ offence.
• Why They Win: Portland’s offensive firepower should be too much for the ‘Caps’ defense to handle. Darren Mattocks, who will likely replace Adi, is due a goal against his old team.
• Why They Won’t: After a perfect start in their first three matches, the Timbers have only one win in their last four. They’ll miss Adi, and Jake Gleeson has not looked secure in goal this year.
• Predicted Starting XI:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• Current Record (W-L-D): 2-3-1 (7th in Western Conference)
• Last Time Out: 2-1 Win at home against Seattle Sounders
• Player to Watch For: Kendall Waston. Waston picked up two suspensions against Portland last season, both after the final whistle. He’s seemed a lot calmer and more focused this year, since taking over the captain’s armband. Portland has scored 16 goals so far this year, more than any other MLS side and twice as many as Vancouver. The Whitecaps will have to stay defensively tight to have any hope of getting points, and for that they need their captain to be at his best.
• Why They Win: On a roll from last week’s win against Seattle, the front four of Techera, Bolaños, Davies, and Montero will shred the suspect Timbers defense, in a repeat of last year’s final match of the season.
• Why They Won’t: The Whitecaps don’t travel well. They’ve only ever won once in Portland, and have lost both their away matches in the league this year.
• Predicted Starting XI:

Score Prediction:

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How to Watch:

Where: Providence Park
When: Saturday, April 22, 1 pm PT
Channel: MLS LIVE, CTV (Canada only), Fox 12 (Oregon only)