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Timbers-Real Salt Lake Preview

Fortune has not favored Real Salt Lake at home against the Portland Timbers in recent seasons. Real Salt Lake comes into Saturday's match looking to snap a three-game losing streak on its home pitch to the reigning MLS Cup champions in league play.

Since ending Salt Lake's 11 game unbeaten streak in the series in June 2014, the Timbers (5-6-4) have changed the direction of the rivalry. Real Salt Lake (7-4-2) suffered a pair of 1-0 losses to Portland in MLS play last season.

No other MLS club has ever won three consecutive matches against Real Salt Lake in the state of Utah. Extending that streak to four won't be easy for Portland.

The Timbers face Salt Lake without forward Dairon Asprilla, who is serving a red card suspension, and midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who is away playing for the U.S. National Team in the Copa America semifinals.

Kyle Beckerman will be absent for Salt Lake. Like Nagbe, he is away playing for the U.S. National Team in the Copa America semifinals.

Portland is unbeaten in its last four matches across all competitions. The Timbers need at least a draw to climb back into the playoff picture. They are a point outside of sixth place after a rough start to the 2016 season.

Salt Lake has been one of the league's most surprising teams early. Salt Lake is currently in third place in the Western Conference.

Forward Joao Plata has been a driving force in the success with seven goals and seven assists through 13 matches.

Portland and RSL met once already this season, playing to a 2-2 draw in Oregon on March 19th.

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