The Seattle Sounders are taking on the Portland Timbers on Thursday in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT on Thursday at CenturyLink Field.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
LEG 1 RESULT: The Timbers defeated the Sounders 2-1 at Providence Park on Sunday. Raúl Ruidíaz scored in the 10th minute before Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastián Blanco scored in the 17th and 29th minutes, respectively.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Sounders: Bye. Timbers: 2-1 win away win over FC Dallas in the Knockout Round.
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 10-10-6 all time against the Timbers in MLS regular season and postseason play, including a 7-2-3 record at home.
Víctor Rodríguez dribbles against Portland in Leg 1 on Sunday | Mike Fiechtner
SCENARIOS: A 1-0 Sounders win would send them through to the Western Conference Semifinals because of the road goals tiebreaker, while a 2-1 Sounders win would force extra time. A full scenarios list is available HERE.
INJURY CONCERNS: Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (groin) and defender Chad Marshall (knee) each exited in the first half of leg one with injuries. Roldan missed just seven minutes all season long, becoming the first Sounders outfield player to start all 34 matches and play over 3,000 minutes, while Marshall helped anchor the second-best defense in the league and is a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year. There is no update yet as to their respective statuses for the second leg.
MABIALA RETURNS: Timbers starting center back Larrys Mabiala was suspended for the first leg after his red card in the Knockout Round at FC Dallas. He will be available for selection on Thursday.
YELLOW CARD WATCH: Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson picked up a caution in the 85th minute on Sunday, the only player on either team to record one in the first leg. If Svensson picks up another yellow card on Thursday, or any time until MLS Cup, he will be suspended for one match.
RAKING RUIDÍAZ: Ruidíaz scored his 11th goal in 14 starts on Sunday since joining Seattle during the Secondary Transfer Window. The Peruvian international is averaging 0.83 Goals Per Game.
