The Vancouver Whitecaps (6W-2L-6D) are planning to collect another victory in their final match of a five-game road trip against the Portland Timbers (5W-5L-4D) Saturday night.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in their last four away from home, collecting two wins and two draws in games in Austin, Puerto Rico, St. Louis and Montreal.

Vancouver wants to show good form in Portland against the Timbers who are their Pacific Northwest rivals in the USSF D-2 League. The Timbers are also another expansion team headed for the MLS. The club joins the big league in 2011.

Earlier this season, the Whitecaps lost a 2-0 pre-season match against the Timbers before Portland handed them their first regular season loss of 2010 in a 2-1 decision on April 29.

The Timbers went eight matches without a win after defeating the Whitecaps in April. On June 19, Portland finally snapped their slump with a 2-0 win over Minnesota.

Both Whitecaps and Timbers players are using their final USSF D-2 League matches to impress coaches and management before next year's MLS expansion.

The Timbers' Ryan Pore has been playing exceptionally well, leading the USSF D-2 with nine goals and 20 points in the first half of the season.

Saturday's matchup will be the 63rd all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Timbers. The Whitecaps hold the edge in competition with 32 wins, 22 losses and eight draws.

The 'Caps play the Timbers two more times this season, including a tilt at Swangard Stadium on July 22 and the club's season finale on October 2.

Kick-off is at 7 p.m. PST at PGE Park in Oregon.

Notes: Goalkeeper Dan Plec, centre back Mouloud Akloul and striker Marlon James are all sidelined with injuries.