Timbers hit the road to Montreal, Minnesota
Published on August 10, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers (6-7-6, 24pts) take to the road for two important matches, beginning tonight at Montreal and finishing up on Saturday night at Minnesota. Both contests can be heard live online at www.portlandtimbers.com.
TIMBERS AT MONTREAL - WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10 - 4:30 P.M.
A sure bet for the postseason and a likely top seed, the defending champion-Montreal Impact (12-1-5, 41pts) have carried over last year's success to this year's campaign with a stifling defense that has allowed just nine goals in 18 games. The Impact recently lost Canadian National Team regulars Sandro Grande and Ali Gerba to European clubs, but feature dangerous players in Mauro Biello and newcomer Charles Gbeke. Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto will miss the game with a groin injury. Previously, Montreal defeated Portland 1-0 on June 30 at PGE Park.
TIMBERS AT MINNESOTA - SATURDAY, AUG. 13 - 5:05 P.M.
Three matches have resulted in three ties between the Thunder (5-8-8, 23pts) and Timbers this season, with the most recent draw coming by way of a 3-3 tie last Friday at PGE Park. Portland gave up three unanswered goals after jumping out to a 2-0 lead, only to tie the match on a strike from Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar in the 63rd minute. Minnesota's Melvin Tarley has been on a tear lately, hitting for eight goals in a recent three-game stretch that included the Thunder's 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids (MLS) in U.S. Open Cup play. Saturday's contest in St. Paul marks the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this season.
SHORTHANDED
The Timbers will be short two defenders and a midfielder for Saturday's game at Minnesota, as Scot Thompson leaves for a tryout at Sunderland, Gavin Wilkinson serves a one-game suspension for drawing too many cautions and Tom Poltl leaves for a family commitment. Midfielder Aaran Lines is questionable for both games with a groin injury and Scott Benedetti did not make the trip with a neck injury.
THE PLAYOFF PICTURE
Currently tied for seventh place in the USL First Division, the Timbers are on the outside looking in on the sixth and final playoff spot, but are still in the thick of the race with nine games to go. With only 19 matches played thus far, the Timbers have games in-hand on Atlanta, Minnesota and Charleston. Puerto Rico has also played 19 games and sits one point up on the Timbers, but has to play six matches in 13 days on the road, giving the Timbers ample opportunity to close the gap.
ON TAP AT PGE PARK
The Timbers' next home match is Saturday, Aug. 20, when they'll take on the Seattle Sounders at PGE Park. The Timbers' 30th Anniversary Celebration highlights the match, with members of the NASL Timbers being honored in a special halftime ceremony. Currently in their fifth season in the USL First Division, the Timbers were born in 1975 as members of the North American Soccer League.
OYSA NIGHT TURNS FIVE
The match vs. Seattle on Aug. 20 is also the fifth-annual OYSA Night, which offers discounted tickets to members and friends of the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. Regularly priced at $13 per ticket, members of OYSA can log on to www.bluto.net/portlandtimbers, click on "tickets" and enter the password "oysa" to be eligible for the discounted $6 tickets.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Alcaraz-Cuellar leads the USL First Division with seven assists on the year ... Byron Alvarez is tied for 11th in points (13) and 10th in goals scored (6) ... Dan Antoniuk is deadlocked at 13th in the league in points (12) ... Alvarez has taken the fifth-most shots (37) in the circuit ... goalkeeper Josh Saunders ranks among league leaders in wins (6), shutouts (4), saves (72), minutes (1,710) and games (19).
ON THE RADIO
Both matches 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.
USL First Division Stories from August 10, 2005
- Whitecaps and Thunder Tie 0-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers gain key win at Montreal - Portland Timbers
- Kick it up Sunday with the Caps - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers hit the road to Montreal, Minnesota - Portland Timbers
- Lynx and Rochester Meet in Home-and-Home Series - Toronto Lynx
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
