Timbers close out 2006 season against Atlanta

September 6, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will look to close out the 2006 season on a winning note when they play host to the Atlanta Silverbacks Thursday night at PGE Park. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Timbers (7-14-6, 27pts), eliminated from playoff contention last Thursday, will be hoping for a repeat of their 2005 performance against the Silverbacks at PGE Park. On September 8, 2005, Atlanta arrived in Portland for the penultimate game of the regular season, and the Timbers racked up six goals, including four in the final 20 minutes.

About the Silverbacks

The Silverbacks (9-11-5, 32pts) enter Thursday's game still fighting for one of the final two USL First Division playoff spots. Atlanta has not been helping its case, however, winning just one of its last seven matches. The string of poor results includes four losses at home and a 7-1 defeat to Miami FC in Florida. The Silverbacks defeated the Timbers 4-0 at Silverbacks Park on July 15.

About the Timbers

After taking a late defeat to the Montreal Impact on Thursday, the Timbers have been eliminated from playoff contention. However, the Timbers will be looking to extend their run of good results on the last game of the season. Portland has won its last three season finales and four of the five season-ending matches it has played. The final match in each of the last three seasons has also been played at PGE Park.

Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Match

"This match is very important for our players and our team because we want to finish this season on a winning note. We've had a disappointing season, but if we were able to beat Atlanta, we could walk off the field with our heads held high. We feel as though we've successfully challenged every team in this league, but some of the results didn't go our way. Needless to say, we've been doing everything it takes in training this week to win this game."

On the Air

Thursday's game can be heard at www.portlandtimbers.com, with veteran broadcaster Andy McNamara behind the mic to provide the play-by-play. McNamara will be joined in the broadcast booth by former Timbers midfielder Aaron Heinzen, who will be providing color commentary.

Jersey Off Our Backs

Fans will have the opportunity to win the ultimate piece of sports memorabilia after Thursday's match: a game-worn jersey autographed by the player who wore it. A silent auction will be held on the main concourse at PGE Park before and during the game, with the winning bidders getting invited down onto the field to meet the player and receive the jersey after the game. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. One lucky fan has already won a game-worn jersey and two premier seats to the match, courtesy of Jammin' 95.5.

Teddy Bear Toss a Success

The Timbers and the Doernbecher Children's Hospital would like to thank all of the fans who brought teddy bears to donate during Sunday's match vs. Charleston. More than 250 of the stuffed animals were tossed onto the field during the second half of the game and were collected by PGE Park staff. The bears will be taken to the hospital and given to patients by Timbers players and front office staff members later this fall. Due to the success of the event, the toss is set to become an annual fixture at future Timbers games.

Kreamalmeyer Nears Record

With an appearance in Thursday's match, midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer will become just the seventh player in modern franchise history to have played in 28 games in a single season. Kreamalmeyer would join teammate Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (2002), Matt Napoleon (2002), Keith Costigan (2002), McKinley Tennyson (2003), Brian Winters (2003) and Josh Saunders (2005). Kreamalmeyer has netted eight goals while logging 2,290 minutes in 27 games for the Timbers this season.

Treatment Table

Defender Scot Thompson has recovered from the thigh strain he suffered while a trialist with England's Coventry City and will be available for selection in Thursday's match.



USL First Division Stories from September 6, 2006


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