By BOB MACKIN
This could be the most challenging 48 hours of the Vancouver Whitecaps' 2009 season.
The defending USL-1 Division champions are in Portland for a 7 p.m. match with the 9-1-9 second-place Timbers tonight (USLlive.com or 955thegame.com).
The Whitecaps are searching for their third road victory. If the Timbers win, the Rose City squad would leap a point ahead of the league-leading 10-3-8 Charleston Battery, who visit the Caps at Swangard Stadium on Friday (Fox Sports World Canada).
The Whitecaps are back in action after last Friday's 3-1 win over the host Rochester Rhinos and the Saturday scoreless tie with the Cleveland City Stars in Ohio.
