Facing a 7-game winless streak and the absence of their veteran leader and goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, the Philadelphia Union (8-7-11) will play host tonight to one of MLS's two new expansion teams and a side trying to contend for the playoffs, Portland Timbers (9-12-5). Kickoff at PPL Park is scheduled for 7:36:30 PM ET.
If you have not already, be sure to check out the following previews from The Brotherly Game staff: [Ben's Match Preview] [Scott Has A Conversation With The Enemy] [Saturday Morning Union Freekicks]. Portland perspective: [Stumptown Footy]
Broadcast Information: The Comcast Network (JP Dellacamera, Taylor Twellman, Bob Rigby), coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern with a pre-game show / ROOT Sports Northwest (Glenn Davis, Robbie Earle), NewsRadio 101.1 KXL-FM (Andy McNamara) and La Pantera 940 KWBY-AM (Fernando Sobrevilla, Ricardo Rodriguez) in Portland / MLS Direct Kick, MatchDay Live (ROOT Sports Northwest feed)
Portland Timbers starting XI: Perkins; Chabala, Brunner, Horst, Palmer; Zizzo, Jewsbury, Chara, Alhassan; Cooper, Perlaza
Portland Timbers bench: Gleeson, Wallace, Purdy, Marcelin, Alexander, Nagbe, Dike
Philadelphia Union starting XI: MacMath; Williams, Valdes, Califf, M. Farfan; Adu, Carroll, Torres, Le Toux; Mwanga, Paunovic
Philadelphia Union bench: Holder, McInerney, G. Farfan, Nakazawa, Okugo, Miglioranzi, Mapp
With a win and a Sporting Kansas City loss, the Union can vault back into 2nd place in the Eastern Conference. Leave your comments throughout the game here. Our staff will give live comments and reactions throughout the game, as well. Go Union! DOOP!