Timbers look to continue good form against Impact
Published on August 30, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers are gunning for their third straight win as they host the Montreal Impact Thursday night at PGE Park. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Timbers (7-12-6, 27pts) hope to keep up their run of good results against the Impact (13-5-8, 47pts). Since Portland joined the USL First Division in 2001, the two teams have met four times, with the Timbers owning a 2-1-1 advantage in the series. Portland and Montreal played to a 0-0 draw in their previous meeting, June 18 at Montreal.
About the Impact
The Impact are currently in first place in the USL First Division, seven points ahead of the Rochester Raging Rhinos and 20 points ahead of the Timbers. With a win in Portland, their final road game of the season, the Impact would be guaranteed at least a second-place finish in the league, which would earn the team a bye into the second round of the USL First Division Playoffs. Montreal has struggled in the month of August, however, winning just two of its eight games (2-3-3).
About the Timbers
With a 3-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders on Aug. 18, the Timbers notched back-to-back victories for the first time since late May. With three games to play and seven points separating the Timbers from a playoff position, Portland will need to win all of its games and hope for some favorable results in other league matches to secure a spot in the postseason. All three of the Timbers' remaining league games will be played at PGE Park, and the matches all will be against opponents currently higher than the Timbers in the league standings.
Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Match
"We certainly have a little bit of momentum from the previous two results, so we're hoping it carries over into this match. The team is playing very strong at the moment, and they're definitely playing for their pride as well as a playoff spot. I would love to see this team win this game, but even moreso, I want to see the players giving their all and leaving everything on the field. We owe that to our fans."
"Overall, I'm very optimistic about our chance to beat Montreal. We went up to their place on the third game of a very long and tiring road trip and we played them to a scoreless draw. Now we get to play them at our place with nearly two weeks of rest, so if we go out there and defend our home field like I know we can, I think we'll be fine."
On the Air
Thursday's game and all of the remaining regular-season games can be heard at www.portlandtimbers.com, with veteran broadcaster Andy McNamara behind the mic to provide the play-by-play. McNamara will be joined in the broadcast booth by former Timbers midfielder Aaron Heinzen, who will be providing color commentary.
Gordon's Galaxy
Forward Alan Gordon, who was loaned by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) to the Timbers prior to the Timbers' match against Minnesota on Aug. 4, is seeing significant playing time at the MLS level since being recalled by the Galaxy. Gordon returned to L.A. shortly after Portland's 1-0 loss to the Thunder, and has yet to return to the Timbers. Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop awarded Gordon his first start of the season on Aug. 26 against D.C. United. Gordon rewarded Yallop by scoring the opening goal of the match in just four minutes, off a deflected shot by teammate Cobi Jones. Gordon is expected to start for the Galaxy Wednesday evening against Real Salt Lake and will not be available to the Timbers for Thursday's game.
Suspended
Forward Byron Alvarez and defender Michael Nsien will be forced to sit out Thursday's game after having accumulated too many yellow cards this season. USL First Division rules require any player that has been shown five yellow cards to serve a one-game suspension in the game following a fifth card. Lee Morrison, Alejandro Gutierrez, Tom Poltl and Scot Thompson all currently have been issued four yellow cards.
Treatment Table
Midfielder Oral Bullen suffered a groin injury in training and could miss the rest of the season ... defender Scot Thompson is still recovering from the thigh strain he suffered while a trialist with England's Coventry City. Thompson could miss the rest of the season with the injury, but team officials are hopeful that he will recover in time to play in one of the team's final games.
Up Next
The Timbers continue their season-ending run of home games when they host the Charleston Battery on Sunday, September 3. Kickoff for the match is set for 6 p.m.
USL First Division Stories from August 30, 2006
- Vancouver Whitecaps insider - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers look to continue good form against Impact - Portland Timbers
- Mariners Sail Into Toronto for Sunday Matchup - Toronto Lynx
- Mario Rodriguez called to the Guatemalan National Team - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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.
