{"id":3314,"date":"2017-01-13T14:41:09","date_gmt":"2017-01-13T19:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=3314"},"modified":"2017-01-13T14:41:09","modified_gmt":"2017-01-13T19:41:09","slug":"portland-timbers-2017-schedule-games-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2017\/01\/13\/portland-timbers-2017-schedule-games-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Portland Timbers 2017 Schedule: Five Games to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2017 MLS Schedule has been released<\/a>! The full Portland Timbers 2017 schedule can be seen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Portland Timbers 2017 Schedule: Five Games to Watch<\/h2>\n

The Timbers will feature on national television quite a bit this season despite not making the playoffs last year. A total of 13 out of their 34 games will be on FS1, UniMas, or one of the ESPN networks. As for the matches to watch, home games take center stage as last year’s lack of an away win makes it hard to get excited for any away matches. However, a win on national television at LA Galaxy in the second week of the season can change that.<\/p>\n

March 3: vs. Minnesota United , 9pm EST on FS1<\/h3>\n

The home opener this year is also the first MLS regular season game for Minnesota United and the first for the entire 2017 MLS season. Minnesota is taking a more conservative approach to building their first squad. They are carrying over several of their former NASL stars, including Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra, who spend a year down in Liga MX before returning to the states. The club is no stranger to Providence Park. They took part in last year’s Simple Invitational preseason tournament and are returning for a second go in that event this year.<\/p>\n

May 14: vs. Atlanta United, 4pm EST on ESPN<\/h3>\n

The other expansion team comes to Providence Park a couple months into the season. They are putting together an exciting lineup for their first season, including former Premier Leaguer and Trinidad and Tobago international Kenwyne Jones.<\/p>\n

June 25: vs. Seattle Sounders, 4pm EST on ESPN<\/h3>\n

This will be the defending champs’ only visit to Providence Park this season. This year, the Cascadia Cup matches take on a special significance as the biggest rivalry in MLS also features the last two MLS Cup champions. Definitely clear your schedule for this home leg, as the host side has controlled the rivalry over the past couple seasons. Be sure to also check out the two battles at CenturyLink Field on May 27 and August 27, too.<\/p>\n

August 6: vs. LA Galaxy, 4pm EST on ESPN<\/h3>\n

The Galaxy come to Portland for the only time this year in August. The Galaxy are going to be contending for the top spot in the west, as always. If the Timbers can earn a big win against them at home late in the year, they may be able to launch themselves into the playoffs and beyond, much like they did in 2015.<\/p>\n

October 22: vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, time and TV TBD<\/h3>\n

The Caps make two trips to Portland this season and this is the last\u00a0of them.\u00a0Much like last season, this also comes on the final matchday of the year. It very well could have big time playoff implications. This time, the Timbers have home field advantage for what could be a monster match. The Whitecaps also have won the last two Cascadia Cups, so Portland could\u00a0wrestle that away from them here. The Caps make their first\u00a0trip to Providence Park on April 22 and the Timbers head to Canada for the return leg on June 23 for a nationally televised showdown on FS1.<\/p>\n

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