Timbers-Toronto FC Preview
The Portland Timbers are in playoff position in the Western Conference thanks in part to a four-game unbeaten streak.
They'll try to add to that run and protect their slim lead Saturday when they visit a short-handed Toronto FC team that's looking to build on its first win in seven matches.
Portland (9-8-12) moved two points ahead of Vancouver with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Whitecaps last Saturday. Fanendo Adi scored twice and Diego Valeri had a goal and an assist as the Timbers improved to 2-0-2 in their last four league games.
"We've got to keep pushing," coach Caleb Porter said. "We have to continue to build pressure on the teams below us. The further we can get away from Vancouver and the teams below us, the more pressure those teams will feel. ... We can't be satisfied where we're at."
Porter's club is 4-0-2 in its last six matches across all competitions after Tuesday's 6-0 rout of Guyanese club Alpha United in CONCACAF Champions League group play.
"I think we're in a good groove right now, and we're hoping to continue our success," midfielder Rodney Wallace said.
The Timbers will try to keep rolling in their only matchup with Toronto (10-11-7) this season. TFC trails fifth-place Columbus by three points in the East after ending a six-game winless streak and five-game drought at home with Sunday's 3-0 win over Chivas USA.
Jackson scored the opening goal for his club, which had four in its prior six matches, but he's out for the next two games after getting into an altercation in the second half. Leading goal scorer Jermain Defoe will likely miss a sixth consecutive game.
Defoe, who has 11 goals, returned to Toronto this week after getting a second opinion on his groin injury in his native England. He is not expected to return until next week's road game against Los Angeles at the earliest.
"(These are) games that we have to win and it's not going to be easy," Defoe said Wednesday. "I think if you want to achieve anything special there comes a moment like this where you know everyone has to stick together and you have to give everything.
"I'll be there supporting the boys and hopefully I'll get back into the team and I'm able to play at a level that I know I can."
Portland routed Toronto 4-0 on Sept. 7, 2013, for its first win in four all-time matchups, with Valeri having a goal and an assist. The midfielder has six assists in his last four MLS games and is tied for second in the league with 14.
The Timbers are 0-1-1 in two visits to Toronto and will be making their first since a 2-all draw Aug. 15, 2012.