MLS: Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union

September 17, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Timbers forward Darren Mattocks (22) battles with Philadelphia Union defender Keegan Rosenberry (12) during a regular season Major League Soccer (MLS) match at Providence Park. Photo: Eric Cech - Portland Timbers

(Eric Cech)

Portland Timbers winger Darren Mattocks has a hamstring injury and will miss the next two to three weeks as he recovers.

"He'll be out for this game (against Colorado Saturday)," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "We're hopeful after the international break, he could maybe be available for that final week of the regular season."

Mattocks left Portland's game against the Houston Dynamo in the 90th minute Saturday after suffering the hamstring injury.

The injury is a significant blow to the Timbers. After missing eight straight games with a previous hamstring injury this summer, Mattocks returned to the field in September and showed well for the Timbers in three straight starts.

Mattocks recorded two assists to lead the Timbers to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on September 17 and it looked like Portland had finally found its answer on the wing.

The injury comes at a particularly bad time for the Timbers because winger Lucas Melano is also dealing with injury.

Melano has been dealing with a groin issue and traveled to Los Angeles last week to discuss the injury with a specialist. The club is planning to manage Melano's injury for the remainder of the season before determining whether Melano will need surgery in the offseason.

Porter said Melano trained Thursday, but he did not yet know if the Argentine winger would be available for Saturday's game at Colorado. If Melano cannot start, Ned Grabavoy or Jack Barmby would be the likely candidates to step into that winger position.

"Luca was better today after not doing anything last week," Porter said. "He's probably still questionable for this weekend."

Along with Mattocks and Melano, Timbers left back Vytas is also dealing with injury.

Vytas suffered a cracked rib against the Union on September 17. Porter said he was doing a bit better Thursday, but was still questionable for Saturday's game at Colorado.

Timbers defender Jermaine Taylor, who left Saturday's game against the Houston Dynamo on a stretcher with an apparent leg injury, was doing better Thursday as well. Porter said Taylor would travel to Colorado with the club and could be available for the game against the Rapids.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg