Portland Timbers host Austin FC at Providence Park on Saturday, August 29 (10:30 PM ET \/ 9:30 PM CT \/ 7:30 PM PT).<\/p>\n
Portland Timbers and Austin FC both check in with clean bills of health ahead of this one, no fresh absences on either side to shape the picture at Providence Park. Kevin Kelsy leads the home attack after 9 goals in 1243 minutes this season, with Kristoffer Velde supplying the creative spark behind him \u2014 42 chances created and 5 goals of his own from 1675 minutes. David da Costa and Cole Bassett add further threat with 3 goals apiece, while Brandon Bye has racked up 1698 minutes as an outlet down the flank. Austin FC will lean on Myrto Uzuni, their top scorer with 6 goals and 19 shots on target from 1582 minutes, alongside Facundo Torres, who leads all players in this fixture with 49 chances created.<\/p>\n
This is a matchup between two sides pulling in different directions in the Western Conference<\/a>. Portland sit ninth with 28 points from 21 games, still well in the mix, while Austin FC are down in 14th on 21 points and carrying a heavy -14 goal difference that speaks to a defence being carved open on a regular basis. Kevin Kelsy’s aerial threat and Kristoffer Velde’s service give the hosts every reason to fancy their finishing at Providence Park, and with Myrto Uzuni offering an out ball at the other end, this looks set to be an entertaining night with goals in it \u2014 Portland Timbers to edge it 2-1.<\/p>\n\n\n