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Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

March 7, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers play host Montreal Impact on Saturday in second consecutive home match

PORTLAND, Ore. - Displaying impressive resolve in overcoming a two-goal deficit in a 3-3 season-opening draw on March 3 against the New York Red Bulls at JELD-WEN Field, the Portland Timbers now turn their attention to a second straight home match on Saturday against the Montreal Impact.

Saturday night's match marks the first time Montreal will visit Portland as an MLS club. Two of the newest teams in the league, Portland and Montreal have a history that dates back 12 years as second division clubs, with the Timbers registering an overall record of 8-4-3 against Montreal in 15 matches pre-MLS. In their only other meeting as MLS clubs, the Impact came away with a 2-0 win on April 28, 2012, at Stade Olympique in Montreal in a match that saw two Timbers players leave with injuries and the MLS debut of two others.

Scoreless entering the final 15 minutes of play, Montreal was awarded a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Forward Bernardo Corradi converted and second-half substitute Sinisa Ubiparipovic added an insurance goal in the 84th minute for the home side.

Entering Saturday's match, only three players who saw action last year against Montreal (Jack Jewsbury, Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara) remain on the Timbers' roster. Meanwhile, the Impact hired a new head coach, Marco Schällibaum, and introduced yet another Italian player into the fold by acquiring midfielder Andrea Pisanu on loan from Serie A side Bologna.

Saturday's match against Montreal will be broadcast live on KPTV Fox 12 and regionally around the state on the Portland Timbers Television Network and carried on the radio at 750 The Game. In Spanish, the match will be broadcast live on EstrellaTV and over the radio on La Pantera 940 AM.

Following Saturday's match, the Timbers take to the road for the first time this year when they square off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC in a nationally televised game on Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m. (Pacific) at CenturyLink Field.

TEAM NEWS

Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week

Timbers midfielders Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe were named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 1 following their performances in Sunday's 3-3 draw with the New York Red Bulls. Both players found their way onto the score sheet with goals in the 14th and 56th minutes, respectively. Valeri's goal tied the match at 1-1 and displayed a deft finish with the outside of his right foot, slotting the shot past New York goalkeeper Luis Robles. The selection is Nagbe's fourth Team of the Week honor in his career. Check out MLSsoccer.com to see the rest of the selections for Team of the Week.

Valeri nominated for MLS Goal of the Week

Diego Valeri's opening goal against the New York Red Bulls Saturday has been selected as a nominee for AT&T Goal of the Week. In the 14th minute, Valeri took a pass from Kalif Alhassan in the box, cleverly juggled past Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave and slotted a perfectly placed right-footed shot past goalkeeper Luis Robles inside the right post. Voting ends Thursday night, with the winner announced on Friday.

Portland Timbers look to "˜Spread the Love'

The Timbers launched the "Spread the Love" campaign this week, where fans can nominate deserving individuals to win free Timbers tickets throughout the season. The goal is to allow as many supporters as possible share in the Timbers experience, especially those who haven't yet had a chance to attend a match in person. Visit SpreadtheLovePTFC.com for details.

Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance spotlight Saturday on Nong's Khao Man Gai

Saturday's featured Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance member is Nong's Khao Man Gai. Nong's will be serving their signature chicken and rice dish with their famous ginger/soybean chili sauce as well as fried chicken wings smothered in Nong's sweet chili glaze at the Soccer City Grill concession stand above Section 93. For more information on the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance visit portlandtimbers.com/PTFCA

2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup format announced, Timbers and Timbers U-23s to participate

U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday the format and participants for the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup . The tournament is scheduled to begin May 7. It is the 100th year of the tournament and features several notable changes to this year's format, including an increase in participating teams as well as an increase in overall prize money.

The Timbers will enter the competition in the third round of the tournament along with 15 other U.S.-based MLS sides, and will be matched up with one of 16 winners from the second round. The third round of U.S. Open Cup play is scheduled to begin on May 28. The Timbers U-23s qualified for their second consecutive U.S. Open Cup along with 15 other Premier Development League sides, and are scheduled to begin play in the first round of the tournament on May 14.

Timbers looking for official pub partners throughout greater-Portland area

The Timbers are in search of the best local pubs in and around Portland to be official Timbers pubs for the 2013 season. Most Timbers-affiliated pubs will have a chance to host an official viewing party for an away match and all pubs will receive Timbers merchandise to use their establishment. If interested in becoming a Timbers pub partner, call (503) 553-5407 or email elamunyan@portlandtimbers.com . Click here for additional information on becoming a Timbers pub partner.

JELD-WEN Field among host venues announced for CONCACAF's 2013 Gold Cup

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) announced that Portland and JELD-WEN Field are among the 13 host cities and venues that will welcome the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 7-28.

Portland is one of six new cities and JELD-WEN Field is one of eight new world-class venues that will play host to the 2013 edition of the Gold Cup, as the region's premier national team tournament continues to expand its footprint across the United States. Click here for the full list of 2013 Gold Cup cities and venues.

Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has established itself as the region's most popular national team tournament, routinely drawing capacity crowds and millions of viewers across the region. Featuring the best players from the confederation, the tournament includes the top 12 nations in the region.

Thorns FC announce season ticket details for inaugural 2013 season

Portland Thorns FC have announced season ticket details for the inaugural 2013 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) campaign.

All regular-season home matches are scheduled to be played at JELD-WEN Field, with season ticket prices throughout the stadium's lower bowl set at $9 per game for general admission, $15 for touch line reserved seats and $22 for club seats.

Fans interested in purchasing Thorns FC season tickets can contact a sales representative at (503) 553-5555 or by email at ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com . Click here for additional ticket information.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

This week's episode of "Timbers in 30" will air Friday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12. Friday's episode will feature head coach Caleb Porter as the in-studio guest, analysis from Adin Brown and a game remix of last Sunday's season opener as well as a profile on new Timbers forward Ryan Johnson.

Throughout the season, "Timbers In 30" will offer inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provided analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers In 30" features can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com .

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 AM The Game. Hosted by Fletcher Johnson, "Talk Timbers," will provide team news and interviews covering the club's 2013 preseason as well as regular updates on the new Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow 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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