Timbers look to advance in U.S. Open Cup Wednesday
Published on June 29, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Timbers (8-4-0, 24pts) travel to Salt Lake City on Wednesday, June 30 to face off with the Utah Blitzz in their first U.S. Open Cup match in franchise history. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Following the Utah match, the Timbers return home to PGE Park on Friday, July 2, where they'll host the Vancouver Whitecaps, a club currently in second place in the Western Conference, just two points behind the first-place Timbers. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.
TIMBERS AT UTAH - Wednesday, June 30, 6:30 p.m.
In what could be the biggest match of their four-year A-League history, the Timbers will play the Utah Blitzz (7-5-3, 24pts) in the third round of the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Blitzz play in the Pro Soccer League, one division below the A-League, and feature Syrian striker and former Timber Fadi Afash, who leads Utah with four goals on the year after being released by Portland in training camp. Should the Timbers advance past Utah, their run at the Dewar Cup comes back to PGE Park in a match with Landon Donovan and the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS on Wednesday, June 14.
TIMBERS VS. VANCOUVER - Friday, July 2, 7 p.m.
The Timbers will be looking for payback after suffering a 1-0 overtime loss to the Whitecaps the last time they met at PGE Park on June 12. Vancouver (7-4-1, 22pts) has won three of four heading into Friday's match and can overtake the Timbers for first place in the Western Conference with a win at PGE Park. The Timbers, who have lost two straight on their home turf, have not dropped three-consecutive games at PGE Park since joining the A-League in 2001.
MANCHESTER UNITED GIVEAWAY
The first 1,000 fans in attendance at Friday's match against Vancouver will receive a complementary Manchester United mini soccer ball.
OREGON YOUTH SOCCER FOUNDATION
Friday is Oregon Youth Soccer Foundation night at PGE Park, as the Timbers and OYSF team up to offer great discounts and celebrate the achievements of the OYSF, which provides scholarships and financial support to young soccer players and youth soccer development around the state.
CASCADIA CUP WATCH
The match between Portland and Vancouver on Friday is the fifth of eight contests in the Timbers' bid to win the 2004 Cascadia Cup. The Timbers lead the competition with nine points over Vancouver (3pts) and Seattle (0pts) in the newly created battle for Northwest soccer supremacy.
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Timbers will be paying a visit to Doernbecher Children's Hospital on Tuesday, July 6 at 1 p.m. The team will be talking with fans, signing autographs and handing out special gifts to patients in the hospital. For more information, contact Keri Stoller at (503) 553-5430.
ON THE AIR
Both matches will be aired live on KZNY AM-1010 with Andy McNamara calling the play-by-play. Arnulfo Alvarez will call the games in Spanish on KRMZ AM-1150. The broadcasts can be heard on the Internet on OregonLive.com.
USL First Division Stories from June 29, 2004
- Two Crucial Home Games For The Kickers This Week - Richmond Kickers
- USL announces week 11 honors - USL-1
- Timbers look to advance in U.S. Open Cup Wednesday - Portland Timbers
- Thunder possible host to L.A. Galaxy on July 20 - Minnesota Thunder
- Aviators Men Earn First Ever Win by Beating Calgary in Overtime - Edmonton Aviators
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