Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers are firmly in the Western Conference playoff race with two matches to play in the regular season.
Just four points separate the fourth place Timbers from eighth place Real Salt Lake as the season comes to a close. The Timbers have already secured their spot thanks to LAFC and Vancouver’s 1-1 draw, but positioning is still on the line.
Here’s what you need to know about the Western Conference fixture...
What TV channel is Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers on?
When is kick off? Wednesday, November 3rd, 10:30 p.m. (ET)
Where is the match being played? Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
What TV channel is it on? ESPN2
Real Salt Lake team news
Real Salt Lake currently sit two points behind LA Galaxy to rank in seventh place on the Western Conference table. A win on Wednesday night would go a long way in bringing the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Former captain Kyle Beckerman will be recognized by the club prior to kickoff. The former RSL star retired at the conclusion of the 2020 MLS season after 14 years in Salt Lake, which included an MLS Cup victory in 2009. Beckerman is now the head coach at Utah Valley University.
Portland Timbers team news
The Portland Timbers are officially playoff bound for a fifth consecutive season following the result of LAFC-Vancouver on Tuesday night. A win Wednesday night would clinch the 4th seed for the Timbers, guaranteeing a home playoff match at Providence Park. The club can not catch the West’s top three of Seattle, Kansas City or Colorado.
Marcelo Silva is questionable for Wednesday night’s match against Salt Lake. The defender has missed the last eight matches with an undisclosed injury.
Predicted lineups
Salt Lake: Ochoa; Herrera, Glad, Holt, Chang; Luiz, Ruiz, Brody Rusnak; Rubin, Kreilach
Portland: Clark; Bonilla, Mabiala, Zuparic, Van Rankin; Paredes, Chara, Asprilla; Blanco, Chara, Mora
Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers head to head record
Portland Timbers lead the all-time series between the two clubs 11-8-7. At home, RSL hold a 6-5-2 advantage in the series. The Timbers have been victorious in both previous matchups in 2021, winning 3-2 on August 7th and 6-1 on September 25th, both matches at Providence Park in Portland.
Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers score prediction
Portland Timbers have been dominant against Real Salt Lake this season, and if they want to secure a home game in the playoffs, it will take another similar effort. For RSL, making it back to the playoffs will require an all-out effort against one of the top teams in the conference, and a team they have struggled with mightily this season. Winning on the road in a competitive match is easier said than done, but the Timbers can pull this one off.
Prediction: Portland Timbers 2-1 Real Salt Lake