NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

July 25, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers open a stretch of three straight home matches on Tuesday as they welcome Argentina's Club Atlético Independiente to Portland for an international exhibition at JELD-WEN Field at 8 p.m. The Timbers then play host to Toronto FC on Saturday at 8 p.m. (PT).

Tuesday's exhibition will be broadcast live on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM. Fans can also stream a live video webcast of the game in both English and Spanish at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Limited seats remain for the matchup between the Timbers and Independiente and tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Saturday's regular-season matchup against Toronto FC will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS, with radio broadcasts on 750 AM The Game and La Pantera 940 AM.

Portland (6-10-3, 21pts) and Toronto FC meet for the second time this season. The two clubs first played on March 26 at BMO Field, with forward Javier Martina scoring in each half to lead Toronto FC to a 2-0 win over the Timbers.

Toronto FC (3-11-9, 18pts) opens play in the CONCACAF Champions League Wednesday as it plays host to Nicaragua side Real Esteli F.C. at BMO Field. In recent weeks, Toronto FC has added several new players, including the acquisitions of Designated Players Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans. Toronto FC has lost its last four league matches heading into this weekend's fixture against Portland.

The Timbers open their August slate against the LA Galaxy on Aug. 3 at JELD-WEN Field, and will play three of their first four games in August on the road.

About Argentina's Independiente

The Timbers play their fourth and final international exhibition match on Tuesday when they welcome successful Argentina side Club Atlético Independiente to JELD-WEN Field.

Led by head coach Antonio Mohamed, Independiente's 25-man travel roster features forwards Facundo Parra and Patricio Rodríguez, two of the club's leading goal scorers from the 2010 Clausura campaign; Parra ranked among the top scorers in Argentina's Primera Division with seven goals in 18 games. Mohamed's roster also includes several players who led Independiente to the 2010 Copa Sudamericana title, including midfielders Hernán Fredes and Nicolás Cabrera, defender Eduardo Tuzzio and recent Argentina National Team call-up Julián Velázquez.

The winner of 14 first division championships, Independiente is one of the most successful clubs in Argentina and ranks third behind notable clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate in the number of total domestic titles won. Its 16 international titles rival the accomplishments of some of the top clubs in the world, including Italy's AC Milan, Boca Juniors and Spain's Real Madrid.

Independiente was founded in 1905 and has yet to be relegated from the first division in its 80-year professional era. Independiente is one of just two Argentine clubs to boast this distinction; the other is Boca Juniors.

Providence, Timbers aim for world record with 'Pink Glove Dance' Tuesday

In effort to build breast cancer awareness, the Timbers and Providence are teaming up to lead fans at the club's exhibition match against Independiente in a performance of the "Pink Glove Dance." The performance will be submitted to Guinness World Records for consideration as "most soccer fans wearing pink gloves."

Providence employees will hand out pink surgical gloves to all fans as they enter the stadium on Tuesday. At halftime, every Timbers fan can join in the dance with the original Pink Glove dancers in the "Pink Glove Dance," which has become a phenomenon on YouTube with more than 13 million views.

Jewsbury, MLS All-Stars take on Manchester United Wednesday on ESPN2

Watch Timbers midfielder and captain Jack Jewsbury and the rest of the 2011 MLS All-Stars take on reigning English Premier League champ Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday on ESPN2; kickoff is 5:30 p.m. (PT).

Jewsbury, who was selected to the MLS All-Star First XI by fans, was named to MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe's 22-man match-day roster for the game last week. It's his first MLS All-Star selection.

In his first year with Portland, the Jewsbury, 30, leads the club with five goals, six assists and 16 points. Jewsbury also has three game-winning assists, tied for second in the league. The five goals and 16 points are career highs for the nine-year veteran.

The 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will also be televised live on Galavision and TSN.

'Talk Timbers,' presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, to air Thursday on The Game

Due to Tuesday's friendly against Argentine club Independiente, this week's "Talk Timbers" will air Thursday from 6-8 p.m. on 750 AM The Game. Featuring interviews with coaches, players, club officials and special guests, the show is a prime source for Timbers news and information.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com.

Portland's Jill Dayton nominated for MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVP

Portland native Jill Dayton, the Portland-area winner of the MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVP contest, is in the running for the league-wide Community MVP contest. Up for grabs is a $10,000 donation given to the winner's charity of choice.

Along with the other nominees from each of the MLS clubs, Jill will represent Portland at the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., where the MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVP will be announced. Jill has selected Guide Dogs for the Blind has her charity.

2011 Corporate Cup finals to take place Saturday at JELD-WEN Field

Before the Timbers clash with Toronto FC on Saturday, local business will duke it out in the finals of the 2011 Corporate Cup at JELD-WEN Field.

Nike and Tursi's Soccer Supply co-ed teams will square off in the finals of the co-ed bracket at 8 a.m., followed by the men's bracket final between Nike and UPS at 10 a.m.

The champions from each bracket receive VIP passes to watch the Timbers take on Toronto FC later in the evening, courtesy of the Timbers. The Timbers' first Corporate Cup in 2011 was contested among 10 teams, bringing Northwest corporations together for an adult soccer tournament, which raised money for Timbers pillar partner Portland YouthBuilders.

Do you have what it takes to be the American Family Insurance Family of the Match?

Will your family be the American Family Insurance Family of the Match? American Family Insurance is looking for one lucky family, who will win four KeyBank Club seats and VIP pre-game field passes for the Timbers' sold-out match against MLS stars Landon Donovan and David Beckham and the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Catch 'Timbers in 30' on KPTV FOX 12

The Timbers' TV show "Timbers in 30" is a highlight and recap show airing each Sunday on KPTV FOX 12 at 6 p.m. Featuring highlights of previous games, discussion, interviews, player features and more, "Timbers in 30" is the place to get all of the latest club news in 30 minutes. Watch this Sunday for the next chance to text in and win a variety of Timbers prizes, including a team-autographed soccer ball. Previous shows are available to view online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Looking for Timbers season tickets? Join the 2012 season-ticket waitlist

Season tickets for the Timbers' inaugural MLS season in 2011 are sold out. Sign up today for the club's 2012 season ticket waiting list with a $50 per-seat refundable deposit to secure your spot in line. Being on the waitlist has its benefits. Aside from being one of the first in line to purchase season tickets when they become available, you'll have priority for additional mini-game plans released by the team during the 2011 season, access to special event pre-sale opportunities and access to the Fan Loyalty Program.

To secure your priority spot or for more information, call (503) 553-5555 or email ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com.

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from July 25, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central