Revolution vs. Timbers 2013: Preview and Game Notes

If there's been a strong point for the New England Revolution this season, it's been the defense. One horrible night in New York aside, the Revs' back five have been the most consistent part of the squad. Tonight, against the Portland Timbers, their defense will be a ravaged shambles of what it has been through the beginning of the year.

With Chris Tierney's suspension that was announced today, the Revs are now missing four out of seven defenders on the roster, and were forced to call up Bilal Duckett to compensate. Only Jose Goncalves remains from the first-choice defensive unit that took the pitch in week one, a situation that Portland's deadly attack will be happy to try and exploit.

The Revs actually have an even record with Portland, coming in at 1-1-1 since the Timbers entered the league in 2011. That includes an 0-1-0 mark on the West Coast. Last season, Portland came calling in the third match of the year, a game in which New England won on the strength of a Saer Sene goal 28 seconds into the match.

REVOLUTION INJURY REPORT

OUT: Kevin Alston (Disabled List; Illness), Andrew Farrell (L Knee Contusion), Clyde Simms (Concussion), Donnie Smith (L Groin Strain), A.J. Soares (R Hamstring Strain)
QUESTIONABLE: Chad Barrett (L Hamstring Strain), Matt Reis (L Knee Irritation)

TIMBERS INJURY REPORT

OUT: Bright Dike (L ACL Surgery), David Horst (R Tibia Plateau Surgery), Brent Richards (L ACL Surgery)

SUSPENSIONS

Chris Tierney (Revolution, Red Card)

TEAM NOTES

• The Revolution is 1-1-1 all-time against Portland after the two teams met for the first time during Portland's expansion season in 2011
• The Revs are 0-1-0 at Jeld-Wen Field with their only match a 3-0 loss on Sept. 16, 2011
• The Revolution is 1-0-1 at home against the Timbers...the Revs earned a 1-0 victory when the two teams met at Gillette on March 24, 2012
• Thursday's match is the first - and only - time the two teams will meet this year
• The Revs won the only matchup between the two clubs in 2012
• Portland won the regular-season series in 2011 with two teams playing to a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium on April 2, and the Timbers winning the second match, 3-0, on Sept. 16 at JELD-WEN Field
• All three games in the series have seen early scoring with five of the six total goals scored coming in the first half...Saer Sene scored the eighth-fastest goal in MLS history in the teams' last meeting, scoring 28 seconds into the match on March 24,2012 at Gillette Stadium

PLAYER NOTES

• Stephen McCarthy, Saer Sene and Chad Barrett are the only Revolution players who have scored a goal against Portland...McCarthy tallied the Revs' lone goal against the Timbers on April 2, 2011, at Gillette Stadium...Sene scored the lone goal in the team's first win over the Timbers on March 24, 2012 while Barrett's goal came as a member of the LA Galaxy in 2011
• A.J. Soares, Matt Reis and Kevin Alston are the only current members of the Revs who have started all three games against Portland
• Chad Barrett leads the team with five shots against Portland in three games played, but all of those came when he was a member of the LA Galaxy...Chris Tierney and Sainey Nyassi are tied for second with four shots apiece
• Saer Sene's goal on March 24, 2012 - scored 28 seconds into the first half - was the eighth fastest goal in MLS history
• Matt Reis is 1-1-1 all-time against Portland with a 1.33 goals against average, 10 saves and one shutout...Reis recorded three saves in the last meeting between the two clubs in a 1-0 win on March 24, 2012, at Gillette Stadium
• Bobby Shuttleworth has not seen action against the Timbers in his career

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: CSN New England, 10:30 PM EST
RADIO: 98.5 Sports Hub, 10:30 PM EST