Gameday preview: Loons at Portland Timbers

Hoping for a better visit this time

Preview: Minnesota United (2-3) heads to Portland (0-3-2) with hopes of a better result than the Loons' first-ever MLS regular-season match a year ago. The Loons trailed 2-1 until the 82nd minute but fell 5-1. The second time the teams played, at TCF Bank Stadium, Minnesota United won 3-2. The game Saturday is the home opener for the Timbers, whose stadium has been undergoing an expansion.

Quotable: "I'm sure they picked us deliberately to go open it again," Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath said. "But hey, it's one of those games and I always say to players, there are certain stadiums you should look at on the calendar. When do we play at Portland? When do we play at Seattle? These are places you should want to go and play in."

Available to play: Newly acquired designated player Darwin Quintero is training with the team and on the roster for the game. Loons midfielder Sam Nicholson, who was held out of practice Wednesday with the flu, also is available.

Not ready: Alexi Gomez, who fills an international slot on the Loons' roster after being acquired earlier this week from Peru, will not be available until his paperwork is completed. Midfielder Sam Cronin is out with a head injury, as is Tyrone Mears (lower leg injury).

Portland report: The Timbers' Roy Miller is out with an Achilles' tendon injury. Both Alvas Powell and Vytas are questionable because of thigh injuries. Liam Ridgewell (lower left leg) also is questionable).

JACK WHITE