Timbers pursue stingier start in encounter vs. Whitecaps

The Portland Timbers will try to break their pattern of conceding early goals on Saturday night when they host a Vancouver Whitecaps side that has started the season strongly in multiple competitions.

Portland (1-1-0, 3 points in MLS) conceded in the sixth minute in each of its first two league matches -- a 3-2 home victory over Columbus followed by a 2-0 loss at Colorado.

"There's obviously a pattern in the first two games, and we want to start games quick, we're at home, we want to be on the front foot," Timbers manager Phil Neville said. "It starts from the minute you wake up in the morning. Your warm-up, your preparation when you go out there, and that's something that we need to do better."

Portland also has conceded at least twice in five consecutive matches, dating to last year's first-round playoff series against San Diego, and in three consecutive home regular-season matches.

And the margin for error probably is smaller at the moment, with attacking midfielder David Da Costa to miss at least one more week with a shoulder injury.

Vancouver (2-0-0, 6 points) is unbeaten in four matches across all competitions to start its new season in both the regular season and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Last Saturday's performance may have been the Whitecaps' best, with Thomas Muller's brace helping manager Jesper Sorensen's side race to a 3-0 halftime lead in a home win over Toronto by the same score.

"I think you're always happy when you win and you're always happy when you have the feeling that you've done good. And (we) were off to a rough start with four games in a short period of time, and we did pretty well," Sorensen said. "So yeah, I think the players are feeling good."

Emmanuel Sabbi will be available after serving a league-imposed, one-match suspension against Toronto for serious foul play in Vancouver's 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21 to open the MLS regular season.

After Saturday, the Whitecaps will return to CONCACAF competition at home on Thursday in Leg 1 of their round of 16 series against Seattle.