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Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

December 13, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


MLS to hold Stage 2 of Re-Entry Process Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers and the other 18 MLS clubs will take part in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Process on Friday at 12 noon (Pacific). Stage 2, the second of two drafts that make up the Re-Entry Process, will take place via teleconference.

Like Stage 1, Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Process will be conducted in the same order as the traditional Waiver Draft; Portland will select third.

In Stage Two, clubs may select from the list of eligible players who are under contract or those not under contract. If a player is not under contract, the drafting club will be required to make a genuine offer to the player within seven days. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached between the drafting club and an out-of-contract player, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.

Clubs may select their own players in the Stage 2 draft only after all other clubs have declined to select those players. If a player is not selected in either stage of the Re-Entry Process, that player will be available on a first come first serve basis to all clubs.

TEAM NEWS

Holiday season is in full swing at adidas Timbers Team Store at JELD-WEN Field

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a Timbers fan? Through the rest of the month, special deals on different Timbers merchandise, including outerwear and novelty items, will be offered at the adidas Timbers Team Store at JELD-WEN Field or online at shop.portlandtimbers.com. For updates on deals during the holidays, sign up for the adidas Timbers Team Store mailing list.

When shopping at the adidas Timbers Team Store, spend $25 or more and take home a gift from under the store's Timbers Tree. Gifts can range from Timbers novelties and gift certificates to autographed memorabilia and gifts donated by Timbers local sponsors.

The holiday season is also about giving back. For at least a $1 donation to the Portland Timbers Community Fund (PTCF), fans will get to write their name on an ornament and place it on the Timbers Tree at the team store.

Portland women's professional soccer club, Portland Thorns FC, reveals team name, crest

Peregrine Sports, LLC - parent company of the Timbers - today announced that its new professional women's soccer club will be named Portland Thorns FC. Additionally, the club revealed its official crest that will be featured when Thorns FC begin play in a new, eight-team professional league in spring 2013.

With a club identity chosen to proudly connect the new team and Portland's familiar standing as the "Rose City" or "City of Roses," the Thorns FC crest was created by Portland artist Brent Diskin, an ardent local soccer supporter and member of the Timbers Army. The Thorns FC logo was unveiled with assistance from members of Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon. Click here to view the video unveiling of the Thorns FC crest.

For more information on Thorns FC, visit www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Timbers Academy teams visit Whitecaps FC Academy this weekend in Burnaby, B.C.

In their first action since the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase earlier this month, the Timbers Academy teams resume conference play on Sunday when they visit the academy teams for Northwest-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

The Timbers U-18 Academy (4-6-2, 14pts) face the Whitecaps FC U-18 Academy at 11 a.m. (Pacific), while the Timbers U-16 Academy (4-4-4, 16pts) takes on Whitecaps FC's U-16 side at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The matches against Vancouver will be the final action before the Timbers Academy takes an extended break in match play through the holidays and the month of January. The teams' next matches are Saturday, Feb. 2, against the De Anza Force.

Major League Soccer announces 2013 SuperDraft, Player Combine details

Major League Soccer has announced details for the 2013 MLS Super Draft, presented by adidas, and the 2013 adidas MLS Player Combine in January.

For a ninth consecutive year, the MLS SuperDraft will be held in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention, and will take place Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Indiana Convention Center, in Indianapolis, Ind. The SuperDraft, which will consist of two rounds, will begin at 9 a.m. (Pacific).

The 2013 adidas MLS Player Combine again will be held at Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., prior to the SuperDraft from Jan. 11-15.

Additionally, MLS will conduct a four-round Supplemental Draft via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Timbers acquire Ryan Johnson, Milos Kocic in trade with Toronto FC

The Timbers have acquired forward and Jamaican international Ryan Johnson and goalkeeper Milos Kocic from Toronto FC in exchange for goalkeeper Joe Bendik, Portland's highest first-round pick in the 2013 SuperDraft and allocation money. It was one of two trades announced by the club Wednesday.

Johnson is a veteran of six MLS seasons and was originally selected by Real Salt Lake in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft following a standout collegiate career at Oregon State University. He has played in 162 regular-season matches during his MLS career, compiling 27 goals and 20 assists. He also made three MLS Cup playoff appearances with San Jose in 2010. Click here for more on Johnson.

Kocic played his fourth season in MLS in 2012, appearing in a career-high 27 matches for Toronto FC. Originally drafted in the second round by D.C. United in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Kocic signed with Toronto FC in 2010 and has played in 41 matches during his MLS career. Click here for more on Kocic.

Additionally, the Timbers announced that they have acquired the No. 2 spot in the allocation order from Chivas USA in exchange for the No. 3 spot in the allocation order and either an international slot for the 2013 season (through Dec. 31, 2013) or a second-round draft pick in the 2013 SuperDraft, should Portland acquire a second-round pick.

Jefferson High School, Oregon State product Danny Mwanga re-signs with Timbers

On Tuesday, the Timbers announced that the club has signed forward Danny Mwanga to a new contract. Mwanga, a standout at Portland's Jefferson High School and Oregon State University, returns for a second season in Portland in 2013.

Mwanga played in 18 matches for the Timbers last season, scoring three goals after joining the club in a trade with the Philadelphia Union on June 6, 2012. In total, Mwanga played in 27 games between Portland and Philadelphia, registering three goals and one assist during the 2012 campaign.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Mwanga has recorded 15 goals and nine assists in 79 regular-season matches over four MLS seasons. Click here for more on Mwanga.

Club sells out of season tickets for 2013, reaches 96 percent renewal rate

The Timbers have sold out of their increased allotment of season tickets for the 2013 MLS season, now capping season ticket sales at 15,250 seats.

Having surpassed a 96 percent renewal rate this year, the Timbers raised the number of season tickets available by 500 seats to help meet increased demand going into their third MLS season. In 2012, the number of season tickets available at JELD-WEN Field was capped at 14,750.

In two seasons, the Timbers have sold out each of their 34 league games and currently have a Season Ticket Waiting List that numbers over 6,500 fans.

Tickets for Timbers preseason matches in Tucson, Ariz., now on sale

Tickets to all of The Desert Friendlies in Tucson, Ariz., featuring four preseason matches for the Timbers, are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets online at www.fctucson.ticketsocket.com .

While in Arizona for preseason, the Timbers will play preseason matches against the Colorado Rapids (Jan. 29), Sporting Kansas City (Feb. 1), Seattle Sounders FC (Feb. 5) and FC Tucson (Feb. 8) at the Kino Sports Complex.

Click here for additional information on tickets for The Desert Friendlies, hosted by FC Tucson, including access to discounts.

Timbers to welcome San Jose, FC Dallas and Sweden's AIK for 2013 preseason tournament

The Timbers will play host to their second-annual preseason tournament at JELD-WEN Field from Feb. 17-23. The host Timbers will be joined once again by Swedish first-division side AIK and the San Jose Earthquakes as well as FC Dallas.

The tournament will consist of three doubleheaders at JELD-WEN Field, with the three clubs playing a round-robin format. Click here for full details and a tournament schedule.

Details regarding individual and group tickets for the tournament will be announced at a later date. Timbers 2013 season ticket holders will receive tickets for all three days of the tournament as part of their ticket package.

Timbers announce 2013 tryout details

The Timbers have announced details for their annual tryout, which will take place Jan. 19-20, 2013, at JELD-WEN Field.

The tryout is open to players 18 years of age and older. Interested players with previous college or professional experience are invited to register for the tryout online at www.portlandtimbers.com/tryouts . Players without college or professional experience must submit a playing resume via email to coachingstaff@portlandtimbers.com . The registration fee for the tryout is $150; space is limited.

Additional information regarding the tryout is available online at www.portlandtimbers.com/tryouts .

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, continues over the offseason on its regularly scheduled Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. (Pacific) on 750 AM The Game. Hosted by Fletcher Johnson, "Talk Timbers," a one-hour show during the offseason, will provide team news and the latest information from around MLS. The final Talk Timbers of 2012 will air Tuesday, Dec. 18, with no shows on Christmas Day or New Years Day.

Submit questions, comment or simply following the conversation on Talk Timbers on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

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