Timbers open 2006 home schedule against Vancouver

May 4, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers open the 2006 home schedule against the Vancouver Whitecaps Friday night at 7 p.m. at PGE Park. The Timbers will then return to action on Saturday night at 7 p.m. to face off against the visiting Minnesota Thunder.

The Timbers will be looking to get even with the Whitecaps after a season-opening 1-0 loss in Vancouver on April 22. Joey Gjertsen scored a breakaway goal in the 17th minute to lead the Whitecaps past the Timbers before 5,722 at Swangard Stadium. Portland's Drew McAthy had a pair of opportunities in the second half to level the score, getting a head on crosses from midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer, but the efforts were just off target both times. The loss dropped the Timbers' all-time regular-season record in Vancouver to 1-10-1.

About the Whitecaps

After a solid 12-7-9 season in 2005, Vancouver returns a number of their key players this season, with Jason Jordan, who led the league in goals and points and was named league MVP last season, returning up front. Martin Nash, who played every regular-season game last year, will again appear in midfield.

The Whitecaps are also boosted by several new signings, including 2006 Timbers draft pick Anthony Noreiga and former MLS midfielder/striker David Testo, who made 33 appearances for the Columbus Crew over the previous two seasons. The Whitecaps also added league veteran Corey Woolfolk, who played for the Puerto Rico Islanders last season.

About the Thunder

Sixteen-year head coach Buzz Lagos called it a career at the end of last season. While his Thunder had a disappointing 7-11-10 regular season, Minnesota went on a tear in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating three MLS teams on its way to the semifinals. Forward Melvin Tarley recorded seven goals and one assist during the regular season and added another four goals in U.S. Open Cup play, earning a stint with Real Salt Lake of MLS through the rest of the season.

During the off-season, former Thunder standout and assistant coach Amos Magee was named to replace Lagos as head coach. Tarley was released by Real Salt Lake during the preseason, prompting a move back to Minnesota where he will team back up with fellow Liberian international Aaron Paye. Also returning from a stint in MLS is defender Dustin Branan, who will rejoin goalkeeper Joe Warren in the back.

About the Timbers

Looking to improve on a 10-9-9 season and a first-round playoff loss last season, Portland adds a mix of exciting new players to a core of key veterans in 2006. Among the returnees is Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, who led the league in assists for the second straight season in 2005. Dynamic striker Byron Alvarez returns up front looking to add to his franchise-leading 37-goal tally. All-league defender Scot Thompson lines up at the back after trials with England's Sunderland AFC and Norway's Ham-Kam last season. Josh Saunders, the Timbers' all-time leader in wins (35), goals-against average (1.17), saves (268) and shutouts (18) returns in goal.

The Timbers have also added exciting new players to the roster, including defender Michael Nsien and forward Mamba Chisoni from the Los Angeles Galaxy and midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer from Real Salt Lake. Portland native and Jesuit High School graduate Josh Brown will line up in defense and former Puerto Rico Islander Drew McAthy will lend his talents at forward.

Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Weekend

"Obviously, I'd like to get the points, but more importantly, I'd like to see us settling in and establishing roles within the team. I want to see our players putting everything on the line and claiming spots."

I think it's great that we're getting a chance to play Vancouver again; we've had time to prepare for them and this game's on our field. Minnesota will be very difficult to beat, not only because they have assembled a great team, but also because they will not have had to play a game the night before like we will have."

On the Air

Both games this weekend 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. Timbers radio coverage in 2006 will be available on-line only; no standard radio broadcast will be available.

Treatment Table

Forward Byron Alvarez, who had been suffering from a knee injury, is now fully fit and will be available for selection this weekend. Defender Josh Brown has recovered from a bruised knee and will also be available. Midfielder Sergio Iñiguez, who started at Vancouver on April 22, suffered a strained hamstring in training and will not play over the weekend.

All Tied Up

Portland and Minnesota faced off four times in 2005, with all four of the matches ending in a draw. The two teams tied 2-2 and 3-3 at PGE Park, while knotting at 1-1 in both contests held in the Twin Cities. The winless streak between the two teams extends an additional two games back to August 5, 2004, when the Timbers defeated the Thunder 3-0 at PGE Park.

Cascadia Cup

Friday's match against Vancouver is the second of eight Cascadia Cup contests 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. The Whitecaps have won both the 2004 and 2005 Cascadia Cups.

Up Next

The Timbers head for the sunny climate of Florida to take on league newcomer Miami FC on May 12 at 4:30 p.m., before heading farther south to face off against the Puerto Rico Islanders on May 14 at 2 p.m. Portland returns home for a May 19 contest against the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 7 p.m. and a May 21 game against the Toronto Lynx at 6 p.m.

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 May 4, 2006


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