Timbers aim for playoff berth with two key matches at PGE Park
September 7, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers (8-9-9, 33pts) play two crucial home games over three days in their bid for a fourth postseason appearance in five seasons. The Atlanta Silverbacks come to town on Thursday and the Richmond Kickers make the trip to the Rose City on Saturday to round out the Timbers' regular-season schedule.
Both matches kick off at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
TIMBERS VS. ATLANTA - THURSDAY, SEPT. 8 - 7 P.M.
Fighting for their playoff lives with revenge on their minds, the Atlanta Silverbacks (9-14-3, 30pts) make their first trip to PGE Park on Thursday. The Timbers defeated Atlanta 2-1 on two goals from Dan Antoniuk Aug. 28 at DeKalb Memorial Stadium, tying the all-time series between the two clubs, 1-1. Jamaican National Team member Fabian Dawkins, who ranks second in the league with 28 points (12g, 4a), is a player to watch.
TIMBERS VS. RICHMOND - SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 - 7 P.M.
The Richmond Kickers (10-8-9, 39pts) have already clinched the postseason with a 1-1 draw vs. the Timbers last Saturday, but a loss to Portland this Saturday could knock them out of the fifth spot and into the sixth, by virtue of the Timbers owning the season series tiebreaker. In the last game, the Timbers took the 1-0 lead on a goal from Antoniuk in the 59th minute only to see Jeff Hare equalize the match with two minutes remaining. This Saturday's match also marks Richmond's first trip to PGE Park.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
With Montreal, Rochester, Vancouver, Seattle and Richmond a lock for the postseason, only one playoff spot remains, with Portland, Atlanta, Puerto Rico and Minnesota still in the hunt. Currently in sixth place on the table, the Timbers are the only club that controls its own destiny. Unable to clinch Thursday after Puerto Rico's 2-0 win over Seattle, Portland's playoff hopes will come down to the final game of the season on Saturday vs. Richmond. A win over Atlanta on Thursday would eliminate the Georgia side and the Minnesota Thunder, but a tie would eliminate only Atlanta. Puerto Rico could be Portland's biggest threat, as the Islanders sit only one point behind the Timbers with two games to play. Both of the Islanders' remaining contests are at home against the last-place Toronto Lynx.
TIMBERS PITCH IN TO HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS
The Timbers, in cooperation with Northwest Medical Teams, will be collecting monetary donations at collection boxes throughout PGE Park during both this week's games in the team's efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, the Timbers are donating a portion of ticket sales generated from a special link on the club's website to the relief effort. Through the link, fans can purchase general admission tickets, with $4 from each Timbers ticket purchased at the special Internet location going to Northwest Medical Teams for their recovery efforts.
THIS AND THAT
Antoniuk scored all three Timbers goals on the recent road trip and leads the club with 20 points (9g, 2a) ... his point total ranks seventh in the league and his goal total ranks fourth ... Edwin Miranda leads all Portland field players with 2,216 minutes and 25 games played ... goalkeeper Josh Saunders has played in every minute of every match this season and sits among league leaders in wins (8), saves (101), goals-against average (1.58) and shutouts (5) ... Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar's 10 assists leads the league and is double the total of those in second place.
OUT OF ACTION
Timbers defender and assistant coach Gavin Wilkinson will serve a one-game suspension on Thursday versus Atlanta after drawing a red card on Saturday at Richmond ... midfielder Jarrod Weis will not play this week with a torn MCL.
TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for both matches are currently on sale at area Ticketmaster outlets and at the PGE Park box office. Online purchases can be made at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at (503) 224-4400. Groups of 15 or greater are encouraged to contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 for discounted seats.
WOMEN'S SOCCER CLINIC ON TAP
The Timbers are holding a soccer clinic for women this Saturday, Sept. 10, at PGE Park from 2-4:30 p.m., taught by Portland Timbers players and coaches. Registration is $30 and includes a ticket to Saturday night's match. U.S. Women's National Team star Tiffeny Milbrett will head up another women's clinic on Monday, Oct. 3, at PGE Park. For more information or to sign up, contact (503) 553-5428.
ON THE RADIO
Both contests can be heard live on KZNY AM-1010, and in Spanish on KXMG AM-1150.
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USL First Division Stories from September 7, 2005
- Whitecaps finish third overall - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers aim for playoff berth with two key matches at PGE Park - Portland Timbers
- Junior Lynx wrap up 2005 season - Toronto Lynx
- Two Mariners named to USL first Division team of the week - Virginia Beach Mariners
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