Timbers head south to play Miami, Puerto Rico
May 11, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers look to continue their winning ways when they take on expansion Miami FC Friday at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Tropical Park Stadium. The Timbers will then return to action on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. (Pacific) to face off against the Puerto Rico Islanders at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.
The Timbers will be looking to double their win total Friday after garnering their first win of the season against the Minnesota Thunder on May 6. Alejandro Gutierrez converted a 31st-minute penalty kick and Troy Ready sealed the victory with a strike in the 69th minute for the Timbers (1-1-1, 4pts). Minnesota broke even in first-half stoppage time when a misguided pass in the penalty area fell to Thunder striker Nate Knox, who sent a hard shot past diving Timbers keeper Josh Saunders to knot the score at 1-1.
About Miami FC
Miami FC enters its first season as a USL franchise after being announced as an expansion team in November 2005. The rookies on the block came out swinging with several big international signings which is led by the acquisition of Brazilian 1994 World Cup champions Romario and Zinho. Romario joined the club after leading the Brazilian First Division in scoring last season.
Other key internationals the club has brought in include Jamaican Sean Fraser, Haitian Stephane Guillaume and Guatemalan Mario Rodriguez. Miami also signed Chris Doyle, who was the starting goalkeeper for Charleston Battery last season.
About the Islanders
The second-year squad won twice as many games in 2005 as they did in its inaugural year, but missed out on a playoff spot by just one point to the Timbers. They won their final three games to finish the season 10-10-8. Forward Mauricio Salles recorded several highlight-reel goals throughout the season as he earned all-league honors for his team-leading 14 goals and 29 points. Corey Woolfolk was not far behind with nine goals and five assists and rookie goalkeeper Dan Kennedy proved a key addition, finishing with a 1.54 GAA and five shutouts as the lone netminder for the campaign.
The club lost a number of key players as Salles went to Montreal and Woolfolk to Vancouver. Midseason acquisition Sebastian Rozental joined the MLS' Columbus Crew and rookie forward Drew McAthy is now with the Timbers. Third and fourth in team scoring, Petter Villegas and Noah Delgado return with several new additions from Argentina and Chile, including Gustavo Barros and Hugo Cicamois.
About the Timbers
Looking to improve on a 10-9-9 season and a first-round playoff loss last season, Portland adds a mix of exciting new players to a core of key veterans in 2006. Among the returnees is Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, who led the league in assists for the second straight season in 2005. Dynamic striker Byron Alvarez returns up front looking to add to his franchise-leading 37-goal tally. All-league defender Scot Thompson lines up at the back after trials with England's Sunderland AFC and Norway's Ham-Kam last season. Josh Saunders, the Timbers' all-time leader in wins (35), goals-against average (1.17), saves (268) and shutouts (18) returns in goal.
The Timbers have also added exciting new players to the roster, including defender Michael Nsien and forward Mamba Chisoni from the Los Angeles Galaxy and midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer from Real Salt Lake. Portland native and Jesuit High School graduate Josh Brown will line up in defense and former Islander Drew McAthy will lend his talents at forward.
Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Weekend
"Due to the climate, we're going to try and slow the game down a bit and move the ball around more. We'll also talk to (forward) Drew McAthy because he played for Puerto Rico last year and he knows what sort of effects the heat and humidity have on the game.
"It's early in the season and Miami is new to the league this year, so we'll do our best to take advantage of the fact that they don't know what kind of team we are. However, we also will be trying figure out what kind of team they are, so whichever coach figures it out and makes adjustments first will win the game."
On the Air
There will be no broadcast of this weekend's games. For in-game updates, log on to www.portlandtimbers.com.
Treatment Table
The Timbers currently do not have any injured players.
New in Town
The Timbers announced the arrival of two additional players prior to Saturday's match against Minnesota. Goalkeeper Bayard Elfvin and forward Mamba Chisoni have spent this week training with the team and will be available for selection this weekend. Elfvin joined the team last Thursday after participating in the MISL playoffs with the St. Louis Steamers. Chisoni was finishing classes at Coastal Carolina before arriving in Portland on Saturday.
Portland still awaits the arrival of defender Salim Bullen, who was also finishing his final term of classes at Bradley University. Bullen is expected to join the team and begin training when the Timbers return to Portland on Monday.
Up Next
The Timbers return to PGE Park to play host to the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Portland will then host the visiting Toronto Lynx on Sunday, May 21, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
A variety of season ticket options are available by calling the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5443. Individual tickets are also on sale at all Ticketmaster box offices, including area Fred Meyer and G.I. Joe's locations, by phone at (503) 224-4400 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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USL First Division Stories from May 11, 2006
- Sounders Home Opener This Saturday vs. Thunder - Seattle Sounders
- Timbers head south to play Miami, Puerto Rico - Portland Timbers
- Silverbacks head south to test expansion side - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Mariners host Impact for Soccer Mom Night - Virginia Beach Mariners
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