Timbers face league foes Minnesota, Seattle this weekend at PGE Park
August 4, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - After tuning up against Premiership and MLS competition, the Portland Timbers (5-7-5, 20pts) return to league play with two matches in three days this weekend at PGE Park.
The Minnesota Thunder (5-8-6, 21pts) make the trip to the Rose City on Friday, Aug. 5, while the rival Seattle Sounders (9-3-7, 34pts) head south for a Sunday evening game on Aug. 7.
TIMBERS VS. MINNESOTA - FRIDAY, AUG. 5 - 8 P.M.
The Thunder thrashed the Colorado Rapids of MLS in the U.S. Open Cup with four goals from forward Melvin Tarley on Wednesday, but have lost three of their last four league affairs. Currently one spot ahead of the Timbers in the standings, a Portland win would leapfrog Minnesota with two games in-hand on their Midwest rivals. Striker Johnny Menyongar, who has a history of scoring on the Timbers, is tied for third in the league with 19 points (8g, 3a). Midfielder Freddy Juarez will sit the match while he serves out a suspension.
TIMBERS VS. SEATTLE - SUNDAY, AUG. 7 - 5 P.M.
With revenge on their minds after falling to the Timbers 2-0 in the U.S. Open Cup last month, the Sounders make their first regular-season visit to PGE Park on Sunday. The season series is tied 1-1, but the Timbers have taken six of the last eight regular-season matches between the two rivals, dating back to the 2003 season. Former Timber Andrew Gregor is a member of this week's Team of the Week after hitting for two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win over Toronto. Sunday also marks Comcast Latino Night at PGE Park.
HOWE ON THE TEAM
"I'm encouraged by the way we've played over the past four games. I think we've been very competitive and the only difference in the San Jose match was the level of quality in about three of four players, allowing for an advantage in possession. Needless to say, these next two games this weekend are more important for us in terms of our season than the Cup game," said Timbers head coach Bobby Howe.
TALES OF THE TABLE
The Timbers currently sit at 10th place in the USL First Division table, but haven't played a league match since July 14 and are tied for fewest games played thus far, with 17. The top six clubs will advance to the postseason, and the current sixth-place team, the Atlanta Silverbacks, are only four points clear of the Timbers heading into weekend action.
ON THE TUBE
Both matches this weekend will be televised, with the Minnesota game airing nationally on Fox Soccer Channel Friday night at 8 p.m. Locally, the game can be seen on Comcast Digital Cable Channel 401. Sunday's match vs. Seattle will be broadcast on Comcast Cable's CNW 14 in the Portland area at 5 p.m., with Bob Akamian calling the play-by-play and Jimmy Clarke providing color commentary. Paul Dolan will call the Minnesota match.
GOLDTHWAITE TO DEBUT
Timbers defender Kevin Goldthwaite, who played for San Jose in Wednesday's match after being recalled by the MLS club, is expected to start in Friday's contest vs. Minnesota. The rookie played 45 solid minutes for the Earthquakes, drawing the game's only yellow card on an aggressive tackle to Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar.
BANGED UP
Midfielder Aaran Lines will not play Friday with a groin injury and is questionable for Sunday. Defender Gavin Wilkinson and forward Paul Conway are both listed as probable for this weekend's contests. Midfielder Shaun Higgins tweaked his groin on Wednesday and is day-to-day.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for this weekend's games 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.
ON THE RADIO
Both matches this weekend can be heard live on KZNY AM-1010, in Spanish on KXMG AM-1150 and online at www.portlandtimbers.com. Andy McNamara will call the match in English, while Arnulfo Alvarez will broadcast in Spanish.
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