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A defeat would drop the Caps to 3-6-2, potentially second-last in the West. They’d have one win in seven and they’d be in the midst of another three-game week that would suddenly appear far more daunting (they visit a tough Toronto team next weekend).

And there’d be big questions about the make-up of this squad — its character, its key players, and the club’s aversion to signing a name player with a track record up front.

Yeah, it’s a big game. A mood-swinging game.

“The way this season has gone so far, we’re looking for something,” said fullback Jordan Harvey, who has been among the Caps’ best performers. “We’ve shown our quality, our best play, at times — throughout 45 minutes, 60, sometimes 89 minutes — but little things are letting us down.

“This game in particular — being against a Cascadia rival, a good team, the defending MLS champs — if we can put together a full 90 and not just prove something to the fans but prove it to ourselves, then I think that will push us through this hard time.”

Goalkeeper David Ousted put it more succinctly.

“It’s time to step up,” he said.

“All Cascadia Cup games have an effect on both teams, but even more on the fans. You go and win that and there’s a buzz around it again. You lose and people are irritated. So hopefully this brings that bit of spark that can ignite this team.”

If playing Portland at home can’t, then nothing can. But it’s often been the Timbers (3-3-3) spoiling the party at B.C. Place. While the Caps have come away with points in four of their last five games at Providence Park, they’re just 1-4-2 against Portland at the Dome.