Timbers return home to face Rochester, Toronto

May 18, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers look to rebound from two losses last weekend when they face off against the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Friday night at 7 p.m. (Pacific) at PGE Park. The Timbers will then return to action on Sunday night at 6 p.m. to face off against the visiting Toronto Lynx.

Portland hopes to get back to winning ways after suffering from a 3-2 loss in Miami last Friday and a 3-1 loss at Puerto Rico on Sunday. Former World Cup MVP Romario scored a pair of goals and Sean Fraser added a third to lead Miami FC past the Timbers, who kept the match close on strikes from Mamba Chisoni and Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar. Caleb Norkus led the way for the Islanders two days later, netting two goals in the first 25 minutes. Byron Alvarez pulled one back with a strike in the 67th minute - his first goal of the season.

About the Raging Rhinos

The Rhinos started off the 2005 season 1-4-0 but turned it around by winning eight of the next 10, then finished the year with a 5-1-3 record over their final nine games. The strong finish earned the team the number two seed in the playoffs and a bye to the semifinals, where the Rhinos were upset by the Richmond Kickers 4-2 on aggregate. Midfielder Kirk Wilson was an all-league selection after leading the Rhinos with nine goals and five assists. Veteran goalkeeper Scott Vallow finished fourth in the league with a 0.92 GAA that was accompanied by a 13-7-5 record and nine shutouts.

Veterans Scott Schweitzer and Rene Rivas retired while Wilson headed north to Montreal. Wilson's move prompted the acquisition of veteran Minnesota Thunder forward Johnny Menyongar, who finished seventh in league scoring in 2005, and Richmond Kickers striker Matthew Delicate, who was tied for 10th. The club also added Charles Gbeke, who split last season with Toronto and Montreal, as well as former Timber Aaran Lines and Chad Severs from the USL Second Division Harrisburg City Islanders. The biggest move will be to their new home PAETEC Park, which opens for competition June 3.

About the Lynx

Although the Lynx have typically been in the lower half of the table, the club had an especially tough 2005 season, needing 13 games to get their first victory (0-8-4). The first win appeared to be a turn-around for the Lynx as they went unbeaten in four straight (3-0-1) before their Canadian rival, the Montreal Impact, brought the streak to an end. Jamie Dodds, a free kick specialist, tallied five goals and three assists to lead the scoring for the Lynx.

The club returns most of its veteran players and has also brought in a few young local stars that have excelled in the Canadian Professional Soccer League, including forwards Matthew Palleschi and Jeremy Shepherd. Joining the Lynx in the back is veteran keeper Theo Zagar and Canadian international defender Tony Menezes.

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 Islander Drew McAthy will lend his talents at forward.

Timbers Head Coach Chris Agnello on the Weekend

"We are in a situation where Rochester are coming in here as the favorite, because they have a bigger, stronger, faster organization. My hat is off to them; they will be very difficult to get a result against this season. They have great players and an abundance of resources to bring in more. We're getting there though, and we're improving things here all-around. We're a young, developing team, and we'll try to counter whatever Rochester throws at us, but it won't be easy."

"Playing Toronto on Sunday will be a great test to see how much we've improved since the season began. But Toronto's no push-over; it all comes down to professionalism and if the players come out ready to play. We're still trying to solidify our style of play here, and it's going to take time, but we're making progress and Toronto will give us a great opportunity to measure that."

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

Defender Scot Thompson suffered a head injury in the first minute of Friday's game against Miami FC. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he received five stitches above his left eye. Although he is still experiencing some residual swelling, Thompson will likely participate in this weekend's games.

Midfielder Edwin Miranda is recovering from a thigh strain and will likely not be available for selection this weekend.

Up Next

The Timbers head for the land of 10,000 lakes as they take on the Minnesota Thunder in St. Paul on Friday, May 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (Pacific). Portland then faces a home-and-home contest with Northwest Rival the Seattle Sounders on Friday, June 2 in Seattle and Saturday, June 3 at PGE Park. Kickoff for both games is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

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 18, 2006


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