Sporting Kansas City at Portland Timbers
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 9:30 p.m. CT
JELD-WEN Field | Portland, Oregon
English TV: KSMO-TV
Spanish Radio: 1340 La Gran D
Media Guide | Game Notes | Audio Preview
@SKCGameday | MatchCenter
Sporting Kansas City will go for their eighth straight win, a feat that would match the best start in MLS history and set an all-time club record, on Saturday when they take on the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field. The match kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT and will air live on KSMO-TV, beginning with a 30-minute pre-game show.
Fans may also tune into La Gran D 1340 AM for the Spanish station's live broadcast of the match or supporters can follow the game online via @SKCGameday on Twitter and the MLSSoccer.com MatchCenter, or on mobile devices with Sporting Explore and MLS MatchDay apps.
Tasked with their third match in eight days, Sporting KC enter Saturday's match coming off a 3-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday night. Forward Kei Kamara scored his team-best fourth goal of the season and captain Jimmy Nielsen made six saves in net to preserve his MLS-leading 0.29 goals against average this season.
Sporting Kansas City sits atop the East with the maximum 21 points to date and a win on Saturday would equal the MLS record for most victories in regulation to open a season, set by the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer's inaugural 1996 season. It would also surpass the club's longest regular season winning streak, set at seven during the 1997 season. Dating back to 2011, Sporting Kansas City have won nine straight regular season matches.
In their way on Saturday stands a sixth straight Western Conference opponent. The Portland Timbers began the season with a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia and a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas, but have since lost four straight. The hosts will look to end the slide and secure their first point against Sporting Kansas City after dropping both matches during their expansion season a year ago.
The Timbers are captained by former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jack Jewsbury and pose a dual-threat up top with Scottish striker Kris Boyd and sophomore striker Darlington Nagbe contributing three goals apiece this season.
Following Saturday's match, Sporting Kansas City will enjoy a week off from MLS action before hosting the Montreal Impact on Saturday, May 5 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com or at the LSP Box Offices.
