This will be the first meeting between the Timbers and Orlando City since the MLS is Back Tournament Final in August 2020, won by Portland. The last time these sides met in the regular season was a 1–1 draw in Portland in July 2019.
Portland’s win, two draws and a loss through four games may seem like a slow start, but it’s actually strong for the Timbers as the five points at this stage of a season is third best in club history (9 in 2017 and 2020).
Orlando’s 2–0 win at Portland in April 2015 was just the sixth match in club history and the first on the West Coast. The Lions would go winless in their next 13 matches in the Pacific Time Zone (D5 L8) before beating the Galaxy, 1–0, on Saturday in Carson.
Both of the Timbers starting center backs are in the top five in MLS in headed clearances (Zach McGraw – 18, Bill Tuiloma – 15) while McGraw’s 33 total clearances are most in the league this season. Orlando City’s Antônio Carlos leads MLS in headed clearances with 20.
Sunday will mark Óscar Pareja’s 300th regular season match as an MLS manager spanning his time with Colorado, Dallas, and Orlando. Pareja will become the third foreign manager to reach the 300-game mark (Frank Yallop, Steve Nicol).
