Portland takes four-game unbeaten streak on the road
May 21, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers embark on a two-game road trip to face the Puerto Rico Islanders in a series of matches on Friday at 5 p.m. (Pacific) and Sunday at 4 p.m. (Pacific) at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.
A live broadcast of both matches will be available online at www.portlandtimbers.com, with a live video webcast available through USL Live - now a free service at www.usllive.com.
The Timbers (2-1-2, 8pts) bring a four-game unbeaten streak into their set of matches against the Islanders. Portland is 2-0-2 over its last four games and has out-scored its opponents 4-1 on goals by midfielders Ryan Pore and Brian Farber. During the Timbers' unbeaten run, the backline has recorded three shutouts and logged a stretch of 363 minutes without conceding a goal.
The Timbers are 5-4-1 all-time against the Islanders (2-1-2, 8pts), but are winless in four matches (0-3-1) in Puerto Rico since 2005. Last season, the Timbers earned their first point against the Islanders in Puerto Rico with a come-from-behind, 2-2 draw on May 16. The two sides split the 2008 season series with a record of 1-1-1. The 2009 season marks the first time in the all-time series that the Islanders have played host the Timbers twice in one season.
On Friday, Timbers defender David Hayes is set to make his 240th career regular-season appearance in the USL First Division. Hayes' career totals for games played rank among the all-time leaders in USL First Division history.
After missing the Timbers' last two games, defender Takuro Nishimura will be available for selection this weekend in Puerto Rico. He missed the team's matches against the Cleveland City Stars on May 9 and Rochester Rhinos on May 14 while in Japan on personal leave.
The Timbers return home on Saturday, May 30, to play host to the Vancouver Whitecaps at PGE Park on Go Green Night presented by Esurance; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The first 2,000 fans receive a Timbers water bottle. Tickets, starting at $11, are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800)
ABOUT PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS The Islanders return to USL First Division action this weekend after participating in the final stages of the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship last week. Puerto Rico defeated Haitian club Tempete 2-0 in the semifinal round to punch their ticket for the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League. The Islanders suffered their first loss of the season in their last league match on May 10, falling to the Vancouver Whitecaps on the road. Last season, the Islanders captured the USL First Division regular-season title and advanced to the league finals.
USL First Division Stories from May 21, 2009
- Portland takes four-game unbeaten streak on the road - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC Continues its Road Trip - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Series Announced - Vancouver Whitecaps
- RailHawks wrap up road trip in Cleveland - North Carolina FC
- Battery squares off against Rhinos - Charleston Battery
- City Stars Host Carolina RailHawks and Former Coach Martin Rennie - Cleveland City Stars
- RailHawks Partner with Nutrition Provider - North Carolina FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
