Timbers travel to Minnesota, Milwaukee
Published on June 21, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Timbers (7-3-0, 21pts) have lost three of their last four games after winning their first six this season. Portland will try to get back to their winning ways on this week's trip to the Midwest for back-to-back matches against Minnesota and Milwaukee.
TIMBERS AT MINNESOTA - TUESDAY, 5 p.m. (Pacific)
The Timbers will play the first of four games in 2004 against the Minnesota Thunder (6-1-3, 21pts) Tuesday at 5 p.m. A defensive-minded team, Minnesota has allowed only three goals all season and is tied with the Timbers for the top spot in the Western Conference. Melvin Tarley leads the Thunder offense with four goals on the year and goalkeeper Joe Warren's 0.27 goals-against average ranks second in the A-League. Minnesota remains undefeated at its new home, James Griffin Stadium, in St. Paul.
TIMBERS AT MILWAUKEE - WEDNESDAY, 5:35 p.m. (Pacific)
In the closing end of back-to-back road contests, the Timbers make the trip to Milwaukee, where they'll meet the Wave United (1-7-1, 4pts) for the second time this season. In the two clubs' previous meeting, Portland rallied for a 3-2 overtime win at PGE Park on three goals by Alan Gordon. Milwaukee lost its last match 2-0 to Richmond and holds a 1-2-1 record at Uihlein Soccer Park this season.
SAUNDERS UPDATE
Timbers goalkeeper Josh Saunders underwent X-rays Friday morning after suffering a left-hip contusion in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Rochester. X-rays were negative, but his status is questionable for Tuesday's match at Minnesota and Wednesday's contest at Milwaukee. Saunders suffered the injury while making a diving stop of Chris Carrieri's shot in the 55th minute of Thursday's game. The second-year Timbers goalkeeper had to be taken off the field on a stretcher by medical personnel and was replaced by rookie Bayard Elfvin as play resumed in the 60th minute.
POWER OUTAGE
The Timbers, who scored a league-leading 22 goals through their first eight games, have found the net only once through their last two contests, on a penalty kick by Alex Bengard against Rochester.
BACK TO BACK
This week's back-to-back road series is the second of four two-game, two-day sets for the Timbers this season. Portland split their previous back-to-back series with Charleston and Atlanta earlier this month.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Select players will be participating in a soccer camp for underprivileged kids this Friday, June 25 at 1 p.m.
ON THE AIR
Both matches will be aired live on KZNY AM-1010 with Andy McNamara calling the play-by-play. Arnulfo Alvarez will call the games in Spanish on KRMZ AM-1150. Both broadcasts can be heard on the Internet on OregonLive.com.
USL First Division Stories from June 21, 2004
- Whitecaps Ground Aviators - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Learn Potential Opponent In Fourth Round Of U.S. Open Cup - Portland Timbers
- Thunder looks to chop Timbers into second - Minnesota Thunder
- Milwaukee/Virginia Beach match to be re-broadcast - Milwaukee Wave United
- Timbers travel to Minnesota, Milwaukee - Portland Timbers
- Impact ties Lynx, 1-1, in front of 9,289 fans - Montreal Impact
- Battery Faces Mariners - Charleston Battery
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