MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly News Update for October 10, 2013

Published on October 10, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Unbeaten in five games, the Portland Timbers welcome Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC to JELD-WEN Field for the lone time during the regular season for a nationally televised match Sunday evening on ESPN at 6 p.m. (Pacific).

Sunday's match, the Timbers' 100th in MLS since joining the league in 2011, will also feature local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

The Timbers (12-5-14, 50pts) extended their unbeaten run to five games with a road draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last weekend. Currently in third place in the Western Conference, Portland enters the week only two points back of first-place Real Salt Lake in the conference and just three points behind the New York Red Bulls in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

The Timbers own the third-longest home unbeaten streak in MLS this season at 13 games, including back-to-back shutout victories over the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids in their last two home games. The club owns the best home winning percentage in MLS (.800) with a 10-1-4 record at JELD-WEN Field, and ranks among Western Conference leaders in home scoring with 28 goals. Portland enters Sunday's contest unbeaten against conference opponents at home with an 8-0-2 mark.

Overall, the Timbers sit among league leaders with 48 goals this season, and are the only club in MLS with four different players having scored eight or more goals. Midfielder Diego Valeri leads the club in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists (28pts); his assists total is tied for the league lead. Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe set an MLS Timbers single-season record with his team-leading ninth goal of the season in last weekend's draw at Vancouver.

Portland has allowed just 33 goals this season, tied for the second-fewest in MLS. With clean sheets in each of their last two home games, the Timbers have recorded a league-best nine home shutouts in 2013. The club's defense has allowed a total of just six shots on goal over their last three home matches. The Timbers' plus-15 goal differential is tied for the league lead with Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City, while their plus-37 improvement from last season in goal differential currently ranks fourth all-time in MLS history.

Sunday's match is the third matchup between the Timbers and Sounders FC during the regular season. Midfielder/forward Rodney Wallace headed in a late equalizer to give the Timbers a 1-1 draw with Seattle on the road in their first meeting March 16. Sounders FC took advantage of an Eddie Johnson goal off a free kick in a hard-fought, 1-0 win over Portland on Aug. 25. The Timbers own a 1-1-1 record against Sounders FC at JELD-WEN Field in the all-time MLS series between the two rivals.

Sunday will mark the 82nd match in the all-time series between Portland and Seattle, a rivalry that dates back to 1975 when both clubs were members of the original North American Soccer League (NASL).

Sounders FC (15-10-6, 51pts), second in the Western Conference and also in the race for the Supporters' Shield, are coming off back-to-back losses to clubs in the MLS Cup playoff chase. After a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 5, Seattle was handed a 4-1 loss by Whitecaps FC on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Field. Their two recent losses are Sounders FC's only defeats in the last nine league matches, and the loss to Vancouver snapped a 13-match home unbeaten run for the club. Sounders FC visits Portland for the only time during the regular season, and with a win Sunday can claim the Cascadia Cup in 2013.

TEAM NEWS

Darlington Nagbe up for MLS Goal of the Week, selected to Team of the Week

Forward Darlington Nagbe scored the initial go-ahead goal for the Timbers against Vancouver last weekend, his ninth of the season. His curling strike from distance is a nominee for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 32. Click here to cast a vote before the poll closes Thursday night.

Along with the Goal of the Week nomination, Nagbe also was selected to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 32. It is his fourth selection to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week (1, 6, 16, 32). Click here to view the full Team of the Week.

Donovan Ricketts nominated for MLS Save of the Week following standout performance

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts recorded six saves in the draw against Whitecaps FC last weekend - his third performance this season in which he has recorded six or more saves in a match. His diving save on a long-range volley by Kekuta Manneh in stoppage time is one of five nominees for Save of the Week for Week 32. Click here to cast a vote; poll closes Thursday night.

Ricketts is no stranger to MLS Save of the Week this season, having won the weekly honor eight times and nominated on three other occasions. The Jamaican international ranks among league leaders in wins (11), goals-against average (1.07), shutouts (11) and saves percentage (72.3).

Win a VIP package to the Timbers-Sounders FC match this weekend

The rivalry between Portland and Seattle has a rich history, and fans love reminiscing about their favorite rivalry moments. To win a special VIP package to the match this weekend, the Timbers are asking fans to describe their favorite Timbers-Sounders moment on social media.

Share a favorite Portland-Seattle moment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with #BeatSeattle (photos are encouraged). One winner will be chosen at random on Friday at 5 p.m. (Pacific) to receive a VIP package including a Timbers jersey, two tickets and VIP passes to the pre-game reception on the field. Click here for details.

Widmer Brothers to offer special beer in honor of Caleb Porter Sunday at JELD-WEN Field

A founding partner of the Timbers, Widmer Brothers Brewing teamed up with Timbers head coach Caleb Porter to brew a special small-batch beer, a Porter-style in honor of the coach. Porter visited the Widmer Brothers pilot brewery in August, and together with brewer and longtime Timbers fan Ben Dobler crafted, "Big Hearts and Brass Balls, A Caleb Porter."

Just 15 kegs of the Porter were brewed and the beer, named after a post-game quote from Porter following a U.S. Open Cup match in June, will be available for purchase at the stadium Sunday for the Timbers' match against Sounders FC and at select pubs in Portland; available only while the limited supply lasts. Click here for the full story.

Annual Jersey Off-the-Back Auction begins Thursday online

Beginning today, Timbers fans can bid on their favorite Timbers player's game-worn jersey as part of the Tim's Cascade Snacks Jersey Off-the-Back Auction, benefitting community pillar partner Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.

Packages include a game-worn jersey, two tickets to the Oct. 19 regular-season home finale against Real Salt Lake and a post-game meet-and-greet with players. Click here for full details and to start placing bids on player jerseys.

Timbers Reserves play season finale Monday, Oct. 14 at JELD-WEN Field

The Timbers Reserves close out their 2013 MLS Reserve League season Monday, Oct. 14, against the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office and online at www.portlandtimbers.com .

Timbers, AC Portland partner with Pointstreak 5050 on new in-game raffle, fundraiser

The Timbers and AC Portland have teamed with Pointstreak 5050 on an innovative platform to raise funds for the Portland community and region through a new, electronic 50/50 raffle. The Pointstreak 5050 system enables tickets to be sold every league match at JELD-WEN Field through electronic devices.

Fans have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets from the time gates open until the 60th minute, and jackpot totals will be displayed in real time on the scoreboard and at the AC Portland 5050 kiosk located near Gate 4. One winning ticket will be selected and announced at the 70th minute of the match with the winner taking home half of the evening's net proceeds. The remaining proceeds benefit AC Portland and Portland Timbers Community Fund.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

This week's episode of "Timbers in 30" will air Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12, with midfielder Will Johnson as the in-studio guest.

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30" will offer inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provided analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers in 30" features can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com .

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 The Game. "Talk Timbers," provides team and league news as well as interviews with Timbers coaches and players during the season, and will also feature regular updates on Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on the show on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

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