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Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

April 4, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers take on Houston Dynamo Saturday at JELD-WEN Field

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play host to the defending-Eastern Conference champion Houston Dynamo on Saturday at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The Timbers return home to play the Dynamo after going unbeaten through their first two road contests of the regular season.

Saturday's matchup, the Timbers' third match this season against an Eastern Conference opponent, will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS, with live radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

The Timbers (0-1-3, 3pts) earned a second straight road result on March 30, playing the Colorado Rapids to a 2-2 draw behind a two-goal performance by midfielder Will Johnson. Both of Johnson's goals came in the second half, as the Timbers overcame a two-goal deficit for a second time this season to earn a draw.

The draw against Colorado marked the third time this season in which Portland overturned a halftime deficit to earn a draw, a feat that occurred just four times in 23 occurrences during the Timbers' first two MLS campaigns.

The Timbers sit among the Western Conference's leaders in goal-scoring and are tied for second in MLS with six second-half goals. Portland ranks fifth among league leaders with 62 shots and also ranks fifth in the league in fewest shots allowed by opponents (44) through the first four matches of the season.

Portland and Houston (3-1-0, 9pts) meet for the lone time this season on Sunday; it will be the fourth meeting in the all-time MLS series between the two clubs. Last season, the Timbers shut out the Dynamo at home in a scoreless draw May 15, 2012, at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo are 2-0-1 against the Timbers, recording two wins during the 2011 campaign.

The Dynamo make their first visit to the Rose City on Sunday since Oct. 14, 2011. Houston has won each of its last two matches, defeating Western Conference clubs Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the San Jose Earthquakes at home. Saturday's match marks just the second road match of the season for the Dynamo and the club's first match played outside of the state of Texas. Houston's first road fixture of the season was a 3-2 loss at in-state rival FC Dallas on March 17.

Additionally, the Timbers Reserves (1-1-0, 3pts) play their first home match of the 2013 MLS Reserve League season Sunday at JELD-WEN Field, as the play host to USL PRO side VSI Tampa Bay FC at 2 p.m. (Pacific). The interleague match between the Timbers Reserves and VSI Tampa Bay FC is part of a league-wide partnership between Major League Soccer and United Soccer Leagues formed earlier this year. Tickets for Sunday's match are $10 and are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

TEAM NEWS

Timbers players Zizzo, Zemanski to help scoop ice cream to raise money for homeless youth

On Tuesday, April 9, Timbers Sal Zizzo and Ben Zemanski will join former Trail Blazer Jerome Kersey and renowned saxophonist Patrick Lamb in serving free ice cream alongside fellow community leaders at select Ben & Jerry's PartnerShops in downtown Portland. They are participating in an ice cream scooping competition during Ben & Jerry's "Free Cone Day" in an effort to raise awareness and money for New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit that helps homeless youth get off the street.

Zizzo and Zemanski will be serving ice cream at the Ben & Jerry's at 524 SW Yamhill Street near Pioneer Square from 3-4 p.m. Fans can sponsor their participant of choice at www.scoopathon.org., with all proceeds going to New Avenues for Youth.

Free cones will be served at the Yamhill location as well as at 510 SW Mill Street on Tuesday from 12-8 p.m.

Will Johnson named MLS Player of the Week, to MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week

With the first two-goal performance of his MLS career against the Colorado Rapids on March 30, Timbers midfielder and captain Will Johnson was named the MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) on Monday. Johnson is just the second Timbers player to receive the honor.

Additionally, Johnson was named one of the Top 3 Performers and to the Team of the Week for Week 5 by MLSsoccer.com during the week.

With two goals and one assist during the month of March, Johnson is one of several players up for MLSsoccer.com's Player of the Month for March. Click here to vote for Johnson; poll closes tonight.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts nominated for MLS Save of the Week

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made a key save for the Timbers in the second half against Colorado, a diving effort in the 64th minute that is one of five nominees for MLS Save of the Week for Week 5. Click here to view the nominees and cast a vote; the deadline is Thursday at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific).

It's the second time Ricketts has been nominated for Save of the Week this season. He had two saves nominated in Week 2 and took home Save of the Week honors with a clutch save on a pointblank header by Montreal's Marco Di Vaio on March 9.

Want to take a Timbers player to school?

Starting Saturday, you can enter to win the opportunity to take a Timbers player to school, presented by The UPS Store. Visit any local The UPS Store to register today and, while there, pick up a 2013 schedule poster. For more information on the contest, visit www.portlandtimbers.com/theupsstore.

Timbers invite fans to "˜Spread the Love'

The Timbers are inviting fans to nominate deserving people in the community to receive free match tickets through the club's "Spread the Love" campaign. Through special nominations by fans at www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com and the work of 107 Timbers ambassadors, fans who have not attended a Timbers match are getting their first experiences at JELD-WEN Field. Fans will be selected prior to each home match throughout the season, and will receive a special "Spread the Love" welcome packet, which includes a custom scarf, tickets to a Timbers match, a Timbers Reserves match and a Portland Thorns FC match, all in a Timbers tote bag. Visit www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com to learn more and to nominate a deserving fan today.

Timbers launch Rose City Rewards for club's season ticket holders

The Timbers have launched Rose City Rewards, a special program available to the club's season ticket holders through their Season Ticket Card. Now, season tickets holders can accrue points to achieve different rewards levels and be invited to participate in one-of-a-kind experiences, such as tours of the adidas Timbers Training Center and other exclusive Rose City Rewards events. Points can be gained by attending matches at JELD-WEN Field, watching away matches on the club's broadcast partners or by watching the club's weekly television show, "Timbers in 30," each Friday on KPTV FOX 12. Loyalty points can then be used to bid on exclusive items. Click here for more on Rose City Rewards or follow on Twitter at @RoseCityRewards.

To join the Timbers Season Ticket Waiting List, contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com .

Tickets for 2013 Gold Cup matches at JELD-WEN Field on sale

Tickets for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader at JELD-WEN Field on Tuesday, July 9, are on sale. Starting at $25, tickets, which allow entry into both matches, are available for purchase through the JELD-WEN Field box office and online at www.JELD-WENField.com . The Gold Cup doubleheader at JELD-WEN Field will feature Group C matches between Costa Rica and Cuba at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), and Belize against the United States at 8 p.m. (Pacific).

The U.S. National Team will make its third visit, and first since 1998, to JELD-WEN Field for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The U.S. National Team defeated Kuwait 2-0 in a friendly at then-called Civic Stadium on May 24, 1998. The United States also played host to Costa Rica in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Civic Stadium on Sept. 7, 1997, which the United States won 1-0 on a goal by Tab Ramos. Click here for more on the Gold Cup coming to JELD-WEN Field.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

This week's episode of "Timbers in 30" will air Friday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12. Friday's show features defender David Horst as the in-studio guest.

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 The Game. "Talk Timbers," provides team and league news as well as interviews with Timbers coaches and players during the season, and will also feature regular updates on Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on the show on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 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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