Timbers seek to reverse fortunes against Virginia Beach
Published on August 9, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers look to get back to winning ways as they host the Virginia Beach Mariners Thursday night at PGE Park. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Timbers (5-12-6, 21pts) will be looking for revenge against the Mariners (7-5-8, 29pts), who defeated the Timbers on July 27 in Virginia Beach. Portland has not gotten a win since June 15 at Minnesota, a span of 11 consecutive games, although they have managed three draws.
About the Mariners
The Mariners currently sit in fifth place in the USL First Division standings. The Mariners are only one point ahead of seventh-place Puerto Rico, however, with only the top six teams advancing to the post-season. Virginia Beach is currently in the midst of a four-game unbeaten run, stretching back to its last loss, on July 16 at Puerto Rico.
About the Timbers
The Timbers were unable to snap an 11-game winless streak when they fell to the Minnesota Thunder 1-0 on Friday. With five games to play and only seven points separating the Timbers from a playoff position, Portland will be looking to get the most out of its home-field advantage. All five of the Timbers' remaining league games will be played at PGE Park, and the matches will all be against opponents currently higher than the Timbers in the league standings.
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.
On the Beach
Timbers midfielder Ronnie Silva will be a member of the U.S. men's team when it competes in the 2006 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Tournament this September. Silva, who had been training with the national team for the past four months, received notification this week that he was selected to join the team for the tournament, which gets underway on September 13 when the United States plays Canada. Five teams (U.S.A., Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico) will compete in the round-robin-style tournament, with the top two teams qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 in Brazil.
Treatment Table
Defender Salim Bullen picked up a thigh strain during training this week and will miss Thursday's match. Bullen's injury will be re-evaluated prior to the August 18 match vs. Puerto Rico.
Gone and Back Again
Defender Scot Thompson will miss Thursday's game as he takes part in a 10-day trial with England's Coventry City ... midfielder Mamba Chisoni has returned fully fit from Zimbabwe after suffering the loss of his mother. Chisoni will be available for selection for Thursday's match ... forward Alan Gordon has been recalled by the Los Angeles Galaxy for their scheduled matches this week. Gordon is expected to return to Portland on Monday.
Up Next
The Timbers continue their season-ending run of home games when they host the Puerto Rico Islanders on Friday, August 18. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m.
USL First Division Stories from August 9, 2006
- Miami FC and municipal tie in a great match at Tropical Park - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery ties Islanders - Charleston Battery
- Timbers seek to reverse fortunes against Virginia Beach - Portland Timbers
- Lynx travel west to battle Thunder - Minnesota Thunder
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