PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
- PROVIDENCE PARK, Portland, Ore.
- September 20, 2015 (WEEK 29, MLS Game #294)
- 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
2015 records:
- NY: 13-8-6; 4-6-4 on the road
- POR: 11-9-8; 7-1-6 at home
- Last meeting: Portland took a 2-1 victory at Red Bull Arena, May 24, 2014
- All-Time Series: NY is 2-1-2; 0-0-2 at Portland
The New York Red Bulls are set to square off with the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park in Portland. The Red Bulls will look to bounce back from a 2-1 road loss to New England on Wednesday, and have a chance to clinch a berth in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win or tie. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, with coverage on ESPN.
A win will automatically give the Red Bulls a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, while a draw could also secure a spot for New York, depending on other results around the league.
The Red Bulls enter the weekend in second place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind New England with a 13-8-6 record after falling to the Revs midweek. Mike Grella scored his second goal in two games to tie the match, but a 65th minute goal from New England's Kelyn Rowe proved to be too much for New York to overcome.
Grella now has points in three straight, and has not gone two games without getting his name on the scoresheet since scoring in Houston on June 5. Grella has five goals and six assists over that 15 game stretch. He has seven goals and seven assists on the season, both tied for second-most on the team. Bradley Wright-Phillips continues to lead New York with 14 goals, while Sacha Kljestan has 10 assists.
The Timbers have amassed an 11-9-8 record, and currently sit in sixth place in the West. Portland is 7-1-6 at home this season. Portland is 0-1-2 in its last three outings, most recently playing to a scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City on September 9 at Providence Park.
Fanendo Adi leads the way offensively for Portland with 10 goals. Adam Kwarasey has been a standout in goal, recording 12 shutouts and earning all 11 of the team's victories with a 1.07 goals against average.
After Sunday, the Red Bulls return home to take on Orlando City SC on Friday, September 25. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m. Including the Orlando City match, the Red Bulls will play four of the final six MLS contests at home.
