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Portland Timbers

TIMBERS WEEKLY UPDATE

October 19, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - As part of MLS Decision Day, the Portland Timbers will play their final game of the 2017 regular season on Sunday, Oct. 22, when the team plays host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park. Beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Whitecaps FC will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Heading into the final match of the regular season, the Timbers (14-11-8, 50pts) are coming off a strong 4-0 home win against D.C. United. With the result against D.C. United, the Timbers moved into second place in the Western Conference standings and are guaranteed at least a top-four berth and a home playoff game in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The top two teams in each conference receive automatic bids to the conference semifinal round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, while the No. 3-6 seeds face a one-game knockout match with the higher seeds hosting. With a win against Vancouver on Sunday, the Timbers will clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference standings, bypassing the knockout game. Portland can also secure the No. 2 seed with a draw or a loss, depending on the results from additional matches being played on Sunday.

Sunday's match marks the 90th meeting between Portland and Vancouver, dating back to 1975, and the third and final regular-season meeting between the two clubs this season. Since joining MLS in 2011, Portland has produced a 9-4-6 regular-season record against Whitecaps FC, with the Timbers' nine wins ranking as the most victories by the club against any team in Portland's MLS era. The last time both teams met at Providence Park, Portland took a 2-1 win against Whitecaps FC on April 22, with midfielder Darlington Nagbe and forward Darren Mattocks each scoring in the win.

Additionally, Sunday's match marks the final Cascadia Cup game of the 2017 regular season. With a win, the Timbers would clinch their second Cascadia Cup championship in the last six seasons.

Sitting in first place in the Western Conference standings with 52 points, Vancouver (15-11-7, 52pts) enters Sunday's game coming off a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place on Oct. 15. Heading into this weekend's match, Whitecaps FC have won six away games in 2017, which ranks as the most in the Western Conference. In their most recent away game, Vancouver fell 3-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 7. Forward Fredy Montero leads the team in goals scored (13).

Four Timbers named to MLS Team of the Week for Week 32

With the Timbers clinching a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, head coach Caleb Porter, defender Alvas Powell and midfielders Sebastián Blanco and Diego Valeri were named to the MLS Team of the Week for Week 32. Valeri recorded a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win, extending his season tally to 21 goals and 11 assists to become the second midfielder in league history to notch at least 20 goals and 10 assists in a single season. Scoring his first MLS brace with the Timbers, Blanco extended his goal-scoring tally to eight this season, which ranks as the third-most on the team, while Powell notched his second goal of the season.

Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns FC help raise over $46,000 for Eagle Creek fire-relief efforts

Through the sale of exclusive, co-branded scarf designs, the Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns FC and their fans helped raise over $46,000 for the Eagle Creek fire-response efforts throughout the month of September. The funds were raised through online sales of two Timbers and Thorns FC scarf designs, commemorating Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.

The commemorative scarves were made available for preorder from Sept. 9-24, with all of the proceeds from sales of the two designs benefitting Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a Pacific Northwest-based organization committed to protecting the resources of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

808 Grinds to serve as featured food cart Sunday at Providence Park

For a sixth consecutive season, fans will be able to enjoy food from some of the most popular food carts around Portland, including Sunday's featured food cart, 808 Grinds, as part of the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA).

The PTFCA is designed to highlight Portland's food-cart culture, with featured food carts Nong's Khao Man Gai, Kim Jong Grillin, Boke Dokie and 808 Grinds regularly appearing at Providence Park for both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home matches in 2017. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/matchday/ptfca.

International Notebook: Timbers Academy defender Akil Watts starts for the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India

Playing in the Round of 16, the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team produced a commanding 5-0 win against Paraguay, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Timbers Academy defender Akil Watts played a significant role in the win, earning his first start of the tournament and playing all 90 minutes. With the win, the U-17s will face England in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium in Goa, India. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. (Pacific), Saturday's match will be broadcast live on FS2 and Telemundo.

Academy Update: Timbers U-16, U-18 Academy teams outscore their opponents 16-3

The Timbers U-16 and U-18 Academy teams went unbeaten in four combined league games played this past weekend. The U-16s, who outscored their opponents 8-1 in two games played, opened up the two-game series with a 3-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes. Josh Darius recorded a brace in the win, scoring twice in a two-minute span, while Andy Lomeli added the team's third and final goal in the 70th minute. The U-16s then followed up with a strong 5-0 win over Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, with five different players scoring, including four second-half goals.

The U-18s also had a strong weekend in the final third, outscoring their opponents 8-2. Following a 1-1 draw against the Earthquakes, the Timbers defeated Silicon Valley 7-1 on the road. Lucas Cini scored a hat-trick in the win, while Anthony Herbert, Wilterlynd Inalien, Lorenzo Lopez and John Klein added additional goals for Portland.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30," presented by Oregon Lottery and hosted by Jake Zivin, Ross Smith and Samantha Yarock, will offer inside access to the club and provide analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers in 30" features can be found at www.timbers.com. This week, "Timbers in 30" airs on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12 with head coach Caleb Porter in studio.

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," airs every Wednesday evening beginning at 6 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 also features regular updates on T2 and Portland Thorns FC. This week's guests included goalkeeper coach Adin Brown and Timbers defender Alvas Powell.

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