MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on September 20, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers face a two-match week as they continue to make their push for a postseason berth in their inaugural MLS season. The Timbers play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (PT) before traveling to the East Coast to visit the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (PT).

Wednesday's match against San Jose will be televised on KPDX (Comcast: Ch. 13; DIRECTV and DISH: Ch. 49), while Saturday's match in New York will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS. Both matches will be broadcast on local radio on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

Entering the week, the Timbers (10-12-6, 36pts) are tied with the Red Bulls (7-6-15, 36pts) for the 10th and final playoff spot on 36 points, but New York currently holds the position on tiebreakers. The Houston Dynamo sits in the ninth spot at 39 points.

On an unbeaten run of four matches, the Timbers are winners of three of their last four games (3-0-1). The Timbers have won each of their last four matches at JELD-WEN Field - one shy of their season-high of five straight. Portland ranks second among MLS clubs in home scoring with 29 goals.

The Timbers welcome the Earthquakes (6-11-11, 29pts) back to JELD-WEN Field for their first regular-season matchup in Portland. The two sides met earlier his season at JELD-WEN Field on May 3 in a U.S. Open Cup qualifying match, in which the Earthquakes claimed a 1-0 overtime victory. In league play, Portland played to a 1-1 draw with San Jose at Buck Shaw Stadium on Aug. 6, with forward Kenny Cooper scoring the go-ahead goal for the Timbers.

Prior to kickoff on Wednesday, the Timbers will recognize the U.S. Women's National Team for its recent accomplishments in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup during a special pre-game ceremony. The U.S. Women are in town and play host to Canada in a friendly at JELD-WEN Field Thursday at 8 p.m. (PT).

Portland makes its first trip to Red Bull Arena on Saturday to take on New York. The Timbers played the Red Bulls to a 3-3 draw at JELD-WEN Field on June 19. The first meeting between the two clubs saw five goals scored in the second half, including New York's late equalizer on a penalty kick by Dwayne De Rosario in second-half stoppage time. Saturday's contest also caps a two-match week for the Red Bulls, who play host to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Saturday's match kicks off a stretch for the Timbers in which they'll play four of their last five matches on the road to end the 2011 campaign.

Darlington Nagbe named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week: Week 27

Timbers rookie Darlington Nagbe netted his second goal of the season and played his first full 90 as a forward in the Timbers' 3-0 victory over the Revolution last week. For his performance, he was named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week: Week 27; click here to view this week's selections.

For Nagbe, it's his second inclusion on the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week and was previously selected in Week 19.

Additionally, Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins, defender Futty Danso and midfielder Kalif Alhassan were all listed as honorable mention on Week 27's MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week.

Saturday's television broadcast changed to ROOT SPORTS

The television broadcast for the Timbers' match Saturday at New York has been changed and it will now air live on ROOT SPORTS. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PT).

Timbers, Mercy Corps partner on special International Day of Peace jersey auction

The Timbers and Mercy Corps have partnered to play host to a special jersey auction in recognition of the International Day of Peace on Wednesday. All proceeds from the auction benefit Mercy Corps sports programs and the Portland Timbers Community Fund.

The jersey auction will be held in two parts - online and in-game on Wednesday - allowing fans to get their hands on their favorite Timbers player's game jersey. Those with the winning bid will be presented their jersey by the player during a meet-and-greet on field following Wednesday's match. The jersey of the players on the Timbers' match-day roster will include a commemorative International Day of Peace patch. Fans can enter their bids at the Stand Together table on the concourse in front of the Sunset Porsche Audi Suites. In-stadium bids will be taken up to the 60th minute.

Fans can also go online at www.portlandtimbers.com/mercycorps until 12 noon on Wednesday to secure a Timbers player's jersey and the opportunity to meet him for a buy-it-now price. Additionally, those who purchase the jersey online can also purchase a pair of tickets for the sold-out San Jose match for $99. All jerseys not sold online prior to the match will be auctioned off in-game at JELD-WEN Field.

Timbers' home sellout streak hits 15 consecutive league matches, set new attendance record

The Timbers saw their 15th consecutive sellout for a league match at JELD-WEN Field on Sept. 16, as a Timbers' MLS-record crowd of 20,323 took in the club's 3-0 win over the New England Revolution. The Timbers have sold out each of their league matches at home and have drawn over 280,000 fans at JELD-WEN Field this season.

MLS Cup playoff update: LA Galaxy clinch season's first playoff berth

With just five weeks left in the regular season, the LA Galaxy are the only club to have secured a playoff berth for the 2011 MLS Cup playoffs. This week, two other clubs have the chance to join the Galaxy in the playoff field - Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake. Both Seattle and Real Salt Lake can control their own fate if they can secure a victory this week, although Real Salt Lake will need some assistance from around the league to clinch their berth.

Should both Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake earn berths this week, the Western Conference's top three clubs will be set.

This week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, New England Revolution and Toronto FC can be eliminated mathematically from playoff contention based upon possible results from games in the coming week.

Join the Timbers' official viewing party Saturday at The Bitter End Pub

Fans are invited to join the Timbers' official viewing party Saturday at The Bitter End Pub in downtown Portland across from JELD-WEN Field, presented by ROOT SPORTS and Budweiser. Saturday's viewing party is open to fans ages 21 and older and begins at 4:30 p.m. (PT).

The Bitter End, located at 1981 West Burnside Street in Portland, is one of several local pubs and restaurants featured with the club's pub partner program in 2011. At the viewing party, enter to win a variety of prizes, including two tickets to the Timbers' regular-season home finale on Oct. 14 at JELD-WEN Field. The first 50 fans in attendance receive a limited-edition "Timbers in Oregon/Heart in Oregon" sticker set.

Diego Chara up for FutbolMLS.com Week 27 Player of the Week

Scoring his second goal of the season in the 3-0 win over the Revs last week, midfielder Diego Chara is one of five players up for FutbolMLS.com's Week 27 Player of the Week. Chara's strike was the opening goal of a key win for the Timbers, keeping them in the race for a playoff spot and extending an unbeaten streak to four games.

Providence to hold a canned-food drive Sept. 27 at Reserves match

The Timbers and Providence Health & Services will play host to a canned-food drive, benefitting the Oregon Food Bank, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at JELD-WEN Field as the Timbers Reserves take on the Chivas USA Reserves; kickoff is 11 a.m. (PT). Tickets, priced at $10, are available for purchase through the JELD-WEN Field box office.

On a five-game unbeaten streak, the Timbers Reserves (4-2-2, 14pts) currently rank second in the MLS Reserve League's West Division. The match on Sept. 27 is the Timbers Reserves' final home match of the MLS Reserve League regular season.

Portland's MLS Reserve League schedule concludes Sunday, Oct. 3, on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves. The top eight teams in the Reserve League will advance to the playoffs, which will determine a 2011 MLS Reserve League champion.

U.S. Women's National Team faces Canada Thursday at JELD-WEN Field

The U.S. Women's National Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, plays host to Canada in an international friendly at JELD-WEN Field on Thursday as part of the team's two-game "Celebration Series" following its run to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup finals in July. The friendly in Portland will feature the U.S. Women's entire World Cup squad and be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. (PT).

The U.S. Women's 21-player roster for the "Celebration Series" features former University of Portland standouts Stephanie Cox and Megan Rapinoe, Northwest-native Hope Solo as well as star forward Abby Wambach. Prior to the friendly on Sept. 22, Solo will be honored for recently earning her 100th cap, becoming just the second U.S. Women's goalkeeper to reach that mark.

Tickets for the U.S. Women's National Team match are on sale through the JELD-WEN Field box office, local Ticketmaster locations and by phone at (800) 745-3000. For groups of 20 or more, an order form can be obtained at www.ussoccer.com or by calling (312) 528-1290.

Timbers-themed cornfield maze on Sauvie Island open through October

A Timbers-themed cornfield maze at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island is open and fans are invited to navigate their way through the MLS club's logo, along with a series of pathways, carved into a five-acre, towering cornfield.

The Timbers MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch is located at 16511 NW Gillihan Rd. in Portland and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days and will run through the end of October. Cost of admission is $7 for maze-goers 13 and older and just $5 for kids ages 6-12 and for seniors 60 and older. For additional information, please visit www.portlandmaze.com.

Timbers unveil 2012 season ticket details

The Timbers have unveiled season ticket details for the 2012 MLS season, with season ticket prices on more than 80 percent of the seats at JELD-WEN Field remaining the same as the team's inaugural MLS season.

The Timbers sold out of season tickets prior to the start of their inaugural MLS season and currently have more than 4,000 fans on the Season Ticket Waiting List for the 2012 season. The team once again will feature a 20-game ticket package for 2012, and season tickets again will start as low as $4.95 per game for Value Terrace seats ($99 per season).

Enter to win the CenturyLink Ultimate FAN-tasy Sweepstakes

CenturyLink is offering Timbers fans the chance to win a Timbers VIP prize package with the CenturyLink Ultimate FAN-tasy Sweepstakes. To enter, complete a free CenturyLink account review through Sept. 25th and be eligible to win one of two grand prizes, featuring two KeyBank Club seats and VIP field passes, along with two scarves, for the Timbers' regular-season home finale against the Houston Dynamo on Friday, Oct. 14, at JELD-WEN Field. The first 100 fans to complete a CenturyLink account review will receive a Timbers gift.

Stop a local CenturyLink retail store for full details and rules of the sweepstakes. Link to your team in more ways than ever with CenturyLink's Broadband, Entertainment and Voice services.

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

The Timbers' radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs each Tuesday 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.

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. Previous shows are available to view online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Looking for Timbers season tickets? Join the 2012 Season Ticket Waiting List

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.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 20, 2011


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