Numbers to Know: Timbers v. Real Salt Lake

Thursday, October 16, 2014

David Cath, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Over 40 percent of Real Salt Lake's goals have come from set pieces, a major concern for the Timbers. Photo Credit: GoLocalPDX

The Portland Timbers are one defensive mistake away from playoff elimination. If Portland loses on Friday and Vancouver wins on Saturday, Portland will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

As Portland plays host to Real Salt Lake this Friday, here are three pairs of statistics that may or may not inspire hope for Portland fans and followers.

1306: The number of days the Portland Timbers have been in Major League Soccer.

1261: The number of days it has been since the Portland Timbers beat Real Salt Lake at home.

The last time Portland defeated a visiting Real Salt Lake team, President Barack Obama had just released his long-form birth certificate, three billion people witnessed a royal wedding, and the National Football League still remained in a lock-out.

2.1: Goals scored on average per home game for the Portland Timbers.

10: Number of away games since Real Salt Lake has scored 3+ goals.

The popular notion is that Portland needs to win. The truth, at this point, is that they don’t need a win or a tie to remain mathematically in contention. Saturday’s matchup between San Jose and Vancouver will decide the Timber’s post-season fate.

But judging by the numbers, Portland’s hot streak (they’ve only lost one match in their last five) combined with Real Salt Lake’s away game scoring troubles should give Portland the upper hand come this Friday.

45: The percentage of total possession Real Salt Lake has in the middle third of the field.

45: The percentage of total possession Portland has in the middle third of the field.

In other words, this game will be won or lost in the midfield.

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