Portland Timbers off-season report II
January 27, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Barely three months remain before the Portland Timbers kick off their fourth A-League season by hosting the rival Seattle Sounders at PGE Park on Saturday, May 1.
TIMBERS DUO DRAFTED BY MLS TEAMS
Both of the Portland Timbers' recent A-League Draft picks were selected in Major League Soccer's SuperDraft, held in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 16. Defender Leonard Griffin, the Timbers' second-round pick in the 2004 A-League Draft out of UCLA, was chosen with the first selection in the second round (11th overall) by the Chicago Fire. Forward Alan Gordon, Portland's top choice out of Oregon State, went to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the sixth round (53rd overall).
TIMBERS NEWS AND NOTES
There have been a few new additions to the Timbers extended family this off-season.
Defender Gavin Wilkinson and his wife, Heather, welcomed a baby boy, Keenan, to
their family in November. Timbers general manager Jim Taylor jokingly indicated
that, upon arrival, Keenan was immediately inked to a multi-year deal that "runs
through the 2030 season" ... former Timber Sean McAuley and his wife, Lisa, welcomed
the birth of son Finn in December ... former Timbers goalie Curtis Spiteri was
recently waived by MLS's Chicago Fire. In his lone appearance with the Fire, the
former University of Portland standout allowed a league-record six goals in one half
in the team's regular-season finale at Columbus ... The Timbers Army, the unofficial
fan club of the team, is currently recruiting new members for the upcoming season.
Contact timbersarmy@yahoo.com
AROUND THE A-LEAGUE
The Charleston Battery, the reigning A-League champion and one of the Timbers' out-of-conference opponents this season, will join the Pro Select League's Wilmington Hammerheads, the PSL's reigning champ, and DC United and the Columbus Crew of MLS in the first Carolina Challenge Cup this season, it was announced Tuesday. The inaugural event is a round-robin tournament that will culminate with a doubleheader March 27 at Charleston's Blackbaud Stadium ... at a press conference in downtown Rochester, N.Y., recently, the Rochester Raging Rhinos officially broke ground on PATEAC Park, their new 17,500-seat stadium that they hope to be in by the fall of 2004 ... the Minnesota Thunder announced this off-season that the team has formed a partnership with St. Paul Public Schools to play its games at St. Paul High School's James Griffin Stadium in 2004. The team plans to play a handful of games at other locations, including the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. The move is intended to bring the team closer to its fan base. Minnesota had played its home games at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., a suburb of the Twin Cities ... former Richmond Kickers public relations director Amanda Miller was recently hired by United Soccer Leagues as its associate director of public relations ... Paul Sterbenz, another former Kickers PR director, was recently named general manager of the Richmond team ... former Hershey Wildcats general manager Todd Smith recently died at the age of 38 due to complications from Leukemia.
TIMBERS SEASON TICKETS
With the release of the 2004 schedule recently, Timbers season tickets are now on sale by calling the ticket office at (503) 553-5555. Don't miss any of the action this year, as the Timbers host all their rivals in addition to visits from expansion Puerto Rico and perennial power Rochester. The Timbers have introduced a new five-game package, available for $50 or $75 a plan. The convenient mini-plans include three Saturdays, a Friday and a Sunday for the fan who can't make all the games.
TIMBERS SCHEDULE
The Timbers recently unveiled their 2004 schedule, a great mix of Thursdays and
weekend dates. The complete schedule is also located at www.portlandtimbers.com
2004 PORTLAND TIMBERS SCHEDULE
MAY
Saturday, May 1 SEATTLE*
Thursday, May 13 CALGARY
Saturday, May 15 @Seattle*
Sunday, May 23 @Vancouver
Saturday, May 29 MILWAUKEE
JUNE
Friday, June 4 @Charleston
Saturday, June 5 @Atlanta
Thursday, June 10 EDMONTON
Saturday, June 12 VANCOUVER
Thursday, June 17 ROCHESTER
Tuesday, June 22 @Minnesota
Wednesday, June 23 @Milwaukee
JULY
Friday, July 2 VANCOUVER
Thursday, July 8 EDMONTON
Friday, July 16 @Vancouver
Saturday, July 17 @Seattle
Saturday, July 24 SEATTLE
Wednesday, July 28 @Calgary
Thursday, July 29 @Edmonton
Saturday, July 31 @Milwaukee
AUGUST
Thursday, Aug. 5 MINNESOTA
Saturday, Aug. 7 @Edmonton
Sunday, Aug. 8 @Calgary
Thursday, Aug. 12 CALGARY
Saturday, Aug. 14 @Minnesota
Thursday, Aug. 19 PUERTO RICO
Friday, Aug. 27 MINNESOTA
Sunday, Aug. 29 MILWAUKEE
* Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Matches
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