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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

February 1, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - After a week focused on fitness in Portland, the Portland Timbers began an eight-day preseason camp today in Southern California. Headquartered in Ventura, Calif., head coach John Spencer and the coaching staff have a series of two-a-day training sessions lined up for Week 2 of preseason.

The players and staff traveled from Portland to the Los Angeles-area on Monday; the city of Ventura is located roughly 65 miles outside of L.A. In store for the players during Week 2 are continued fitness sessions and more ball work in preparation for their first preseason exhibition match later this week.

"It is great to be down here," Spencer said between Tuesday's training sessions. "It is nice to get the ball out and get the guys running around and doing what they love doing the most, which is playing the game."

Joining the team for training on Tuesday was MLS SuperDraft pick Chris Taylor and three of the Timbers' selections in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. Taylor, along with forwards Spencer Thompson and Raymundo Reza and midfielder Robby Lynch, got to make their first impressions on the coaching staff during the first two-a-day training session of preseason. Defender Taylor Mueller, the club's fourth-round pick in the Supplemental Draft, will report for preseason Feb. 14.

Among the list of non-roster players in attendance during Week 2 of preseason are Alo B=E4rengrub, Freddie Braun, Josh Cameron, Doug DeMartin, Jake Gleeson, Quavas Kirk, Rodrigo Lopez, Tony McManus, Ian Sarachan and Brian Umony.

Portland will train at the facilities of Ventura College during the week and will see its first preseason action Friday against the Ventura County Fusion, a Premier Development League (PDL) club. For additional preseason training camp updates, visit www.portlandtimbers.com.

Upcoming Schedule: Feb. 1-6

Tuesday, Feb. 1 ‚¬" Training at Ventura College

Wednesday, Feb. 2 ‚¬" Training at Ventura College

Thursday, Feb. 3 ‚¬" Training at Ventura College

Friday, Feb. 4 ‚¬" Match against Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College; kickoff at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 5 ‚¬" Training at Ventura College

Sunday, Feb. 6 ‚¬" Training at Ventura College

Timbers face Fusion on Friday in opening preseason match

The Timbers open preseason play on Friday, facing the Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday's exhibition match is the first of several scheduled games for the team during preseason as it prepares for its inaugural MLS campaign.

Tickets, priced at $8 for adults and $5 for youth in advance, are available online through the Fusion's website at www.vcfusion.com

The Fusion compete in the PDL ‚¬" one of the tiers of United Soccer Leagues. The Fusion, founded in 2007, have played host to a number of top-level clubs in exhibition play, including the England's Everton and Burnley FC as well as MLS sides Columbus, Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy. Ventura County won the PDL championship in 2009.

The exhibition match Friday is the first of two games during the Timbers' training camp in California; Portland will play the Galaxy in a scrimmage on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

2011 Timbers Combine Recap

In advance of the preseason camp in Southern California, the Timbers coaching staff held its first player combine as an MLS club over the weekend at Oxnard College in Oxnard, Calif. Participating in four training sessions over the two-day combine, 80-plus players showcased their skills through a series of small- and full-sided games.

Consisting of collegiate and professional players, the player pool at the Timbers combine featured talent from as far away as Argentina and Europe and as close as a seven-mile drive down Highway 101 in Ventura, Calif.

Calling all artists for "Paint the Plane" Contest

The Timbers and Alaska Airlines invite soccer fans to create artwork to adorn a Boeing 737-700 in a "Paint the Plane" contest. Featuring one artist's creation, a Timbers-branded plane will be revealed this spring during the club's debut MLS season.

Entries will be judged by both Alaska Airlines and Timbers representatives based on originality, creativity and the ability to express the club's brand. Fans can download the plane's design template at www.portlandtimbers.com/paint-plane-art-contest and submit their unique Timbers-centric design by mail or electronically through Tuesday, Feb. 15.

The person with the winning design will receive two first-class tickets to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines, two club seats to the Timbers' inaugural home match on April 14, as well as a team-autographed Timbers jersey.

Portland kicks off inaugural MLS campaign March 19

With the Timbers' first kick just months away, season tickets for the 2011 MLS season are available now by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555; available season tickets start at just $18 per match.

Portland opens its debut MLS season on Saturday, March 19, on the road against the defending-MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids. On Thursday, April 14, the Timbers make their home debut in a newly renovated stadium as the play host to the Chicago Fire at 8 p.m. (Pacific).

Additional ticket information as well as an interactive Virtual Venue is available online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 1, 2011


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