Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter said that he is taking Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup game against the Seattle Sounders very seriously and plans to start a strong lineup in the match.

"You have to say this game against Seattle right now is a major priority, winning that game," Porter said. "We have an opportunity to play for a trophy and, if we are able to knock off the team that won it last year, they're out of the tournament and we have now a proper chance to make a run. We are going to put everything into this game Tuesday."

Porter said that Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri, who has been recovering from an ankle sprain, would travel with the team for Tuesday's game, but he could not say whether Valeri would be healthy enough to play in the U.S. Open Cup game.

"It will be tight for the game Tuesday," Porter said. "He could play. If he's available, then we'll look to play him, but we certainly don't want to risk anything and have to then now lose him for a couple weeks."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg