Timbers 2 currently occupy 15th spot in the Western Conference table, with 12 points from 27 games. Rising are in 5th, with 46 from 27.
Portland’s 2-1 win over Rio Grande Valley at the end of July is their only victory at home this season. They drew their most recent two home fixtures, against Real Monarchs and Tulsa Roughnecks, but were dismantled in Reno on the weekend, falling to a 6-1 loss.
Rising and Portland are yet to meet this season. Arizona United never beat Timbers 2, drawing one and losing four. Their only win against a Timbers side came against their U23 team in the 2014 US Open Cup.
Very few players stand out, not just because of the side’s poor league performance, but because those who have shown promise are also involved in the first team. As a result, their top performers make few appearances at the USL level.
Timbers 2 has had significant player turnover this year. In fact, 12 players have made 5 appearances or less this season. Rising has only 6 such players.
Timbers 2 has scored only 22 goals all season – the worst in the Western Conference. They are most dangerous later on in each half, and rarely pose a threat early on.
Victor Arboleda is the leading scorer for Portland, with 3 goals from 11 appearances. It’s uncertain whether the Colombian will play, as he has been featuring in the MLS for his parent club.
Timbers 2 has conceded 52 goals this season. They appear particularly vulnerable during the first 15 minutes of the second half, and have conceded multiple goals in quick succession a total of 13 times this season.
Despite the high number of goals conceded, Kendall McIntosh has recorded the third most saves of any goalkeeper in the Western Conference, further underlining the shakiness of the Timbers 2 defence.
