Timbers host Vancouver, Charleston at PGE Park
August 5, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play host to a pair of matches this week at PGE Park, starting Thursday against the Vancouver Whitecaps followed by a game against the Charleston Battery on Saturday. Kickoff for both matches is set for 7 p.m.
The Timbers face the Northwest-rival Whitecaps Thursday on Alumni Night. Several former Timbers players from the North American Soccer League (NASL) and USL First Division franchises will be on hand to participate in a special halftime match.
Saturday is Nike Night at PGE Park as Portland and the Battery square off in a top-of-the-table matchup. The first 1,000 kids 12 and under receive a Nike drawstring bag.
Tickets for both contests start at $11 and are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Portland (9-1-9, 36pts) is one of four teams, along with the Battery, competing for the top spot in the USL First Division, with the first through fourth place teams separated by just three points. The Timbers are currently tied with the Carolina RailHawks in second place at 36 points.
The Timbers recorded a 1-1 draw against the Minnesota Thunder in their last match on Aug. 1, to extend their USL First Division record unbeaten streak to 18 games. Portland is also unbeaten at home this season in league play (6-0-2) and has posted six shutouts at PGE Park.
The Timbers and Whitecaps conclude their three-game season series on Thursday. Portland is 1-1-0 against Vancouver this season, including a 2-0 win on May 30 at PGE Park. The Whitecaps are the only team to have defeated the Timbers this season, logging a 1-0 win in Vancouver on April 25. Since 2001, the Timbers are 8-18-8 against the Whitecaps, including a 7-4-6 mark at PGE Park.
Portland and Charleston meet for the second time this season on Saturday. In their first matchup, forward Mandjou Keita scored the equalizer in the second half to help the Timbers record a 1-1 draw on June 13 in Charleston. All-time, Portland is 4-6-2 against the Battery. Saturday's match marks the Battery's only scheduled visit to the Rose City this season. The two sides finish their 2009 season series Aug. 28 in Charleston.
The Timbers will be without the services of forward Jason McLaughlin for Thursday's match against the Whitecaps due to a league-imposed, one-game suspension for his red card ejection against Minnesota.
USL First Division Stories from August 5, 2009
- Low's Last Gasp Gives RailHawks 1-0 Win, First Place - North Carolina FC
- Timbers host Vancouver, Charleston at PGE Park - Portland Timbers
- RedHawks to hold free clinic Sunday, August 9 - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps Battle League Leaders This Week - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Miami FC Going Bald for Fans - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery heads to Pacific Northwest for two - Charleston Battery
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