Sporting Kansas City and Portland Timbers continue their pre-season preparations for the MLS 2022 campaign as they are set to meet in a friendly game on Thursday.Sporting Kansas kicked off their pre-season with a goalless draw against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, while the Portland Timbers also played out a scoreless draw against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.Portland finished as the runner-up in the MLS Cup last season while Kansas were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Both sides will be hoping to be ready to go when the regular season gets underway later this month.Sporting Kansas City@SportingKC Touched down in KC AZ for preseason@ChildrensMercy | #SKCPreseason5:45 AM · Feb 1, 20221025✅ Touched down in KC🔜 AZ for preseason@ChildrensMercy | #SKCPreseason https://t.co/RT3m4EHWORSporting Kansas City vs Portland Timbers Head-to-HeadThere have been 22 competitive meetings between the two sides across all competitions since 2011. The fixture has been closely contested between the two sides, with Portland enjoying a slight 8-7 lead in wins while seven games have ended in draws.They last squared off in the MLS 2021 regular season at the Children's Mercy Park in August, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.Sporting Kansas City form guide (MLS Preseason): DPortland Timbers form guide (MLS Preseason): DSporting Kansas City vs Portland Timbers Team NewsSporting Kansas City The Wizards will be without the services of Bryan Acosta and Mark-Anthony Kaye, who are on international duty with their respective national teams in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying action.Injured: NoneSuspended: NoneUnavailable: Bryan Acosta, Mark-Anthony KayePortland Timbers Pablo Bonilla, Cristhian Paredes, Yimmi Chara, and Bill Tuiloma are the only absentees in the preseason training camp for the Timbers on account of their commitments to their respective national teams.Portland Timbers@TimbersFCAyala announced!Midfielder David Ayala has signed with the Timbers from Club Estudiantes de la Plata in Argentina. Welcome, David! Details: ow.ly/PXwg30s9jlW | #RCTID11:31 AM · Feb 1, 202246152Ayala announced!Midfielder David Ayala has signed with the Timbers from Club Estudiantes de la Plata in Argentina. Welcome, David! 💚💛Details: ow.ly/PXwg30s9jlW | #RCTID https://t.co/l2sEYUsqDmInjured: NoneSuspended: NoneUnavailable (International duty): Pablo Bonilla, Cristhian Paredes, Yimmi Chara, Bill TuilomaSporting Kansas City vs Portland Timbers Predicted XISporting Kansas City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, Andreu Fontas, Spencer Glass; Uri Rosell, Remi Walter, Cam Duke; Johnny Russell, Khiry Shelton, Daniel SalloiPortland Timbers Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aljaz Ivacic; Dairon Asprilla, Abraham Bahachille, Mitch Ferguson, Marvin Loría; Dawson McCartney, Zac McGraw, Santiago Moreno, Jaroslaw Niezgoda; Donny Toia, Milo WraySporting Kansas City vs Portland Timbers PredictionIn pre-season games, it is always a tricky task to predict the outcome of the game as coaches are more open to trying things out and even getting academy players involved in the game.As both sides lacked firepower in their opening game, we expect this encounter to end in a goalless draw.Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 0-0 Portland Timbers