First-place Timbers look to clinch playoff berth in Canada
August 6, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Riding a three-game winning streak, the Portland Timbers (14-7-0, 42pts) will cross the border for back-to-back matches against Edmonton and Calgary, beginning on Saturday afternoon. The Timbers can become the first team in the A-League to seal a trip to the postseason with a two-game sweep.
TIMBERS AT EDMONTON - Saturday, Aug. 7, 1 p.m. (Pacific)
The Timbers are 3-0 against Edmonton (3-12-6, 15pts) this season, outscoring the club by a 13-1 margin. Portland's last trip to Edmonton was canceled and ruled a 1-0 forfeit victory after the Aviators franchise ceased operations and was taken over by the league. Byron Alvarez and Alan Gordon have both tallied hat tricks against Edmonton, whose goal differential (-22) ranks at the bottom of the league. The match will be played on grass at Coronation Park.
TIMBERS AT CALGARY - Sunday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m. (Pacific)
Portland journeys on to Calgary (3-14-4, 13pts) to take on a club that, despite sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, has looked improved as of late, defeating Seattle 3-0 and drawing Vancouver 1-1 in its last two matches. The Timbers are 2-0 against the Mustangs this season, winning 1-0 in their most recent meeting at McMahon Stadium on July 28. Defender Aaron Richer and midfielder Demir Jesic represent the Mustangs on this week's A-League Team of the Week.
FIRING BLANKS
Portland goalkeeper Josh Saunders and the Timbers have shut out their opponents in three consecutive matches and have not allowed a goal in more than 280 minutes, the longest such streak in four A-League seasons for the team. The Timbers have won five of their last six and four straight games away from PGE Park.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
With the magic number at five points to clinch a Western Conference playoff spot, the first-place Timbers play four of their last seven games at PGE Park ... two of their remaining opponents, Milwaukee and Minnesota, hold winning records and are in the running for a playoff berth ... the Timbers are 9-1 this season against the remaining teams on the schedule ... the conference semifinal round of the playoffs is scheduled for Sept. 3-5, but dates are subject to change.
BACK FOR SECONDS
With Thursday's two-goal performance, Andrew Gregor became the third Timber to tally a multi-goal game this season, joining Alan Gordon, who has four multi-strike contests and Byron Alvarez, who has two. The Timbers pace the A-League with 42 goals scored this season.
LEFT ANKLES
Defender Aaron Heinzen is out for the season and will need surgery to remove a piece of dead bone in his left ankle ... defender Shawn Saunders left Thursday's match in the 61st minute after straining a tendon in his left ankle and is unlikely to play Saturday, but could see action Sunday at Calgary.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Alan Gordon and Lee Morrison made the trip to Camas, Wash., on Wednesday to play soccer and speak with more than 30 kids at the JWR Boys and Girls Club ... Andrew Gregor and Aaron Heinzen appeared at a West Linn Parks and Recreation camp on the same day, talking with a group of 25 children and demonstrating soccer tricks to the campers in attendance.
ON THE AIR
Both of this weekend's matches will be aired live on KZNY AM-1010 with Andy McNamara calling the play-by-play. Arnulfo Alvarez will call the games in Spanish on KRMZ AM-1150. Both broadcasts are aired on the Internet at OregonLive.com.
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USL First Division Stories from August 6, 2004
- Mariners hold off Atlanta 4-3 - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Battery loses to Kickers in OT - Charleston Battery
- First-place Timbers look to clinch playoff berth in Canada - Portland Timbers
- Milwaukee Ready to Host Calgary Tonight (7:35 PM) at Uihlein Soccer Park - Milwaukee Wave United
- Impact hosts Vancouver Friday - Montreal Impact
- Timbers quiet Thunder, Take over first place - Portland Timbers
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