BEAVERTON, Ore. – For coach Caleb Porter, the first phase of this MLS season has required plugging a series of holes.

Only once in the Timbers’ first eight matches have they started the same lineup in consecutive games.

That picture figures to improve a bit on Sunday with team captain Liam Ridgewell expected to return to the middle of the defense after missing seven matches with a hamstring injury. Porter said Ridgewell was on track to play at New England on Wednesday, but came down with a cold and was kept home.

Ridgewell on Saturday called his absence from the lineup a difficult period, and said his hamstring and fitness level are both good.

“Doing a lot of running is always good, but you can only get match fit by playing games, that’s what I’ll be looking to do,” Ridgewell said.