First-place Timbers look to sew up Western Conference
August 18, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers (16-7-2, 50pts) need just two points to clinch the best record in the Western Conference, and a win against the upstart Puerto Rico Islanders Thursday night at PGE Park would accomplish that feat for the first time in four A-League seasons. The Timbers are currently riding a seven-game unbeaten streak entering Thursday's contest.
TIMBERS VS. PUERTO RICO - Thursday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. (Pacific)
A club that has showed gradual improvement over the course of its inaugural season, the Islanders (5-15-6, 21pts) make their first-ever visit to PGE Park this Thursday. The Islanders did not collect their first win until June 15, but have displayed some impressive outings under new head coach Hugo Maradona, brother of former international soccer star Diego Maradona. Brazilian striker Mauricio Salles ranks among the league leaders with 11 goals on the year.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Already a lock for the postseason, a win Thursday would guarantee the Timbers the top seed in the West ... a loss or a tie by Minnesota and Vancouver would also seal the top spot ... Minnesota, which has not won on the road all year, plays its last five games away from home ... if the season ended today, the Timbers would play Seattle in the first round, but Minnesota and Milwaukee are also in the picture ... Vancouver is winless in its last six games ... the Timbers are 1-3-0 vs. Vancouver, 2-1-0 vs. Milwaukee, 3-1-0 vs. Seattle and 2-0-1 vs. Minnesota this season.
INJURY DEPT.
Defender Lee Morrison will sit out Thursday's match with a red card suspension resulting from the Minnesota match ... defender Aaron Heinzen is out for the season after having surgery to remove a piece of dead bone in his left ankle ... defender Shawn Saunders is out with a strained tendon in his left ankle ... defender David Henning and midfielder Andrew Gregor will be used sparingly with minor injuries.
THURSDAY PROMOTION
The Puerto Rico match is "Toga Party Thursday" in celebration of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The last chance to enjoy a Thursday event at PGE Park this season, fans are invited to take part in the occasion, which will include opening ceremonies, halftime competitions and togas galore.
ON THE AIR
The Puerto Rico match will be aired live on KZNY AM-1010 with Andy McNamara calling the play-by-play. Arnulfo Alvarez will call the game 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 18, 2004
- Kickers fall to Syracuse in final minutes - Richmond Kickers
- Mariners lose in overtime to Toronto 2-1 - Virginia Beach Mariners
- First-place Timbers look to sew up Western Conference - Portland Timbers
- USL Fox Sports World Game of the Week - USL-1
- Jackson named to Team of the Week - Charleston Battery
- In an un-eventful game the Wave United took all three points. - Calgary Mustangs
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