Timbers looking for revenge against Vancouver
June 9, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will be playing for maximum points when they welcome back the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday, June 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at PGE Park.
The Timbers (4-4-2, 14pts) will be looking to improve on their previous results against the Whitecaps, including a tough 1-1 draw at PGE Park on May 5. Portland has put together a strong string of results, earning three wins and a draw in their last four games to move up to second in the USL First Division, one place higher than Vancouver.
About the Whitecaps
The Whitecaps have started off the season strong, counting victories over Portland, Toronto and Minnesota among their early-season successes. However, since a 3-0 win over the Thunder on May 14, Vancouver has only managed three ties in its last four games. Despite not having won in almost a month, the Whitecaps still occupy third place in the USL First Division.
About the Timbers
With victories against Toronto, Minnesota and Seattle, the Timbers have moved into second place in the USL First Division standings. Portland has won three of their last four games, including their last two consecutive home games, to key their move up the league standings. The Timbers have had difficulty against the Whitecaps, however, losing the season opener 1-0 at Vancouver before settling for a draw in the home opener at PGE Park.
Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Match
"Vancouver is a team we've played very well against, we've just been unlucky in the results. The first two times we played them, we were still a team in transition; a team trying to figure out its system. But we're there now, and this match is a very good chance for the squad to finally perform at its highest level."
"I think you can tell that the players have gotten a bit of confidence from our results recently, and they're also starting to trust each other more. Three points are very important from this game, as we need a huge boost going into a tough set of road games."
Whitecaps Head Coach Bob Lilley on the Match
"I knew right away when we played them in the first game that they were going to be a great team this season, and their recent run of results proves that. They are playing very well at the moment, and PGE Park is always a tough place to play. This match will be difficult for us, especially since we will be coming off a match the night before, but we will come into the game looking for the win."
On the Air
Saturday's game and all other Timbers home games this season can be heard at www.portlandtimbers.com, with veteran broadcaster Andy McNamara returning for a sixth season behind the mic to provide the play-by-play. McNamara will be joined for several games by former Timbers midfielder Aaron Heinzen, who will be providing color commentary. Timbers radio coverage in 2006 will be available on-line only; no standard radio broadcast will be available.
Treatment Table
Defender Michael Nsien suffered a partial tear of his MCL in Friday night's game at Seattle. Nsien will not require surgery for the injury, but he is expected to miss four or five weeks while he recovers.
Cascadia Cup
Saturday's match against Vancouver is the fifth of eight Cascadia Cup contests for the Timbers this season. This geographical-cup competition began in 2004, and is competed for annually by the Timbers, Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders. Three points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw every time the three teams play one another. The team with the most points from the head-to-head matches at the end of the season is declared the winner. All three teams are currently tied in the standings with five points from one win and two draws each. The Whitecaps also won both the 2004 and 2005 Cascadia Cups.
Roster Moves
The Timbers have signed forward Jaime Ambriz to a one-year contract. Ambriz has been training with the Timbers since the preseason, but his contract was not finalized until this week. Ambriz is waiting on an international work clearance and will likely not be available for Saturday's match. The Timbers have also reached a mutual agreement with goalkeeper Devin Zimmerman and midfielder Edwin Miranda to release them from their contracts.
Up Next
The Timbers hit the road for their next four matches, including three games in four days. Portland faces off against the Minnesota Thunder on June 15, the Rochester Raging Rhinos on June 17 and the Montreal Impact on June 18. The Timbers then head to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps on June 30 before returning to PGE Park for a match against league newcomer Miami FC on July 2.
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.
USL First Division Stories from June 9, 2006
- Timbers looking for revenge against Vancouver - Portland Timbers
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