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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

July 6, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play host to a pair of premium matches this week at JELD-WEN Field as they face Mexico ‚¬â„¢s Club América on Thursday in an exhibition match at 8 p.m. and Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Sunday ‚¬â„¢s league match against Seattle will be nationally televised on ESPN, with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM. Thursday ‚¬â„¢s friendly against Club América will also be broadcast on The Game and La Pantera, with a video webcast in both English and Spanish at www.portlandtimbers.com.

The Timbers continue a stretch of three games in nine days with their matchups against Club América and Seattle. Portland opened its busy July schedule last weekend with a 2-1 loss against Sporting Kansas City. Rookie midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored his first professional goal against Sporting KC to pull one back for the Timbers; his strike is a candidate for this week ‚¬â„¢s MLS Goal of the Week.

Winless in their last six league matches, the Timbers (5-8-3, 18pts) are seeking their first win since May 21 against the Columbus Crew.

One of the most successful clubs in Mexican soccer, Club América has won 33 total championships since its founding in 1916. The club boasts 14 league championships, is a five-time winner of the CONCACAF Champions League and competed in the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup. Led by head coach Carlos Reinoso, Club América ‚¬â„¢s travel roster for exhibition against the Timbers includes star forward Ángel Reyna, veteran defender Oscar Rojas, goalkeeper Armando Navarrete and strikers Vicente Sánchez and Matías Vuoso.

Portland meets long-time rival Seattle on Sunday for the second time this season, but for the first time at JELD-WEN Field as MLS foes. The rivalry between the Northwest clubs dates back to 1975, when the two competed in the original North American Soccer League. The Timbers and Sounders FC reignited their rivalry in MLS with a 1-1 draw on May 14 in Seattle at CenturyLink Field; it was the 75th all-time meeting between the two clubs.

Sunday ‚¬â„¢s fixture will count towards the annual Cascadia Cup ‚¬" a fan-based derby between the Timbers, Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The team with the best head-to-head record between three Northwest rivals is awarded the Cascadia Cup.

Seattle (8-4-8, 32pts) enters Sunday ‚¬â„¢s match against the Timbers on a seven-match unbeaten streak in league play. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller recorded the shutout in a scoreless road draw with the LA Galaxy earlier this week on July 4 to help maintain the team ‚¬â„¢s unbeaten run. On the road this season, Sounders FC has a 3-2-5 mark and are unbeaten in their last five away matches, dating back to early May.

Throughout the years of the rivalry, the Timbers have had the upper hand on their Seattle counterparts at home. Through the days of the NASL, Western Soccer League and United Soccer Leagues, the Timbers are 19-16-2 all-time at home against the Sounders. There have been several memorable home matches for the Timbers against the Sounders over the years, including Portland ‚¬â„¢s opening NASL match on May 2, 1975, a 2-0 win in the 2001 home opener as the Timbers made their home debut in USL and a season-opening victory over the Sounders in 2004 which launched a historic run to the Timbers ‚¬â„¢ first of two USL Commissioner ‚¬â„¢s Cups.

Darlington Nagbe ‚¬â„¢s goal against Sporting KC surpasses one million views on YouTube.com

Midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored an unbelievable goal against Sporting KC last weekend, juggling a deflected ball twice before smashing a shot into the top left corner of the goal from just outside the penalty area. The goal, his first as a pro, was named one of the Top Plays on ESPN ‚¬â„¢s SportsCenter that evening and has now surpassed one million views on YouTube.com.

Throughout the week, Nagbe ‚¬â„¢s goal has been a regular contender on the SportsCenter Best of the Best poll online. To top things off, his goal is one of five candidates for MLS Goal of the Week: Week 16, and as of today, it had an early lead in the voting, which ends Thursday.

Goalkeeper Troy Perkins ‚¬â„¢ save nominated for MLS Save of the Week: Week 16

Against Sporting KC last weekend, goalkeeper Troy Perkins made a key save on a shot by midfielder Graham Zusi in the 80th minute for one of his three saves on the night. That stop is one of five nominees for the MLS Save of the Week: Week 16.

Voting for Save of the Week ends Thursday.

Timbers to break out ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â kits against Club América

The Timbers will wear their ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â kits on Thursday for the exhibition against Club América. Portland first debuted the ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â red kits at home June 11 against the Colorado Rapids, and Thursday ‚¬â„¢s match will mark the third time the team as worn the secondary kit this season.

The ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â jersey features a split design of two shades of red, separated by ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â thorns repeated down the middle, and Alaska Airlines script across the chest. Highlights of the jersey include ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â verbiage on the back of the neck and the Rose City logo prominently displayed opposite the team ‚¬â„¢s primary crest on the front of the jersey.

Fans can purchase ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â red kits, as well as other items in the ‚¬Å“Rose City ‚¬Â apparel line, at the adidas Timbers Team Store at JELD-WEN Field in downtown Portland or online at shop.portlandtimbers.com.

Do you have what it takes to be the American Family Insurance Family of the Match'

Will your family be the American Family Insurance Family of the Match' American Family Insurance is looking for one lucky family, who will win four KeyBank Club seats and VIP pre-game field passes for the Timbers ‚¬â„¢ sold-out match against MLS stars Landon Donovan and David Beckham and the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at JELD-WEN Field.

Timbers ‚¬â„¢ 2011 Corporate Cup kicks off Friday; 10 teams to compete in first event

The Timbers kick off their first Corporate Cup on Friday, bringing together Northwest corporations for an adult soccer tournament and networking, while raising money for Timbers pillar partner Portland YouthBuilders.

Ten teams, consisting of corporate employees, will play qualifiers throughout the weekend in hope of advancing to the championship match held at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday, July 30. The 2011 champions will then watch the Timbers take on Toronto FC from VIP guest seats that same night at JELD-WEN Field.

Tickets for July exhibitions against Club América, West Brom and Independiente on sale

The Timbers play host to three international exhibition matches during the month of July against renowned clubs from different parts of the world. The Timbers will face famed Mexican side Club América on Thursday, English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, July 20, and successful Argentine club Independiente on Tuesday, July 26, all at JELD-WEN Field.

Tickets for all three exhibitions matches are on sale now through the JELD-WEN Field box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For additional ticket information relating to any of the three exhibitions, please contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or visit www.portlandtimbers.com.

Timbers fan Jill Dayton selected as Community MVP

Portland native Jill Dayton was selected last week as the Portland winner of the MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVP contest. She was recognized on the field during a halftime ceremony during the Timbers ‚¬â„¢ match against Sporting Kansas City.

Jill will represent Portland at the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., where she will be in the running, along with nominees from each of the other 17 MLS teams, to win $10,000 for her charity of choice, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Tune in to ‚¬ËœTalk Timbers, ‚¬â„¢ presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, on The Game

The Timbers' radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs each Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. on 750 AM The Game. Featuring interviews with coaches, players, club officials and special guests, the show is a prime source for Timbers news and information.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com.

Catch ‚¬ËœTimbers in 30 ‚¬â„¢ on KPTV FOX 12

The Timbers ‚¬â„¢ TV show ‚¬Å“Timbers in 30 ‚¬Â is a highlight and recap show airing each Sunday on KPTV FOX 12 at 6 p.m. Featuring highlights of previous games, discussion, interviews, player features and more, ‚¬Å“Timbers in 30 ‚¬Â is the place to get all of the latest club news in 30 minutes. Watch this Sunday for the next chance to text in and win a variety of Timbers prizes, including a team-autographed soccer ball. Previous shows are available to view online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Looking for Timbers season tickets' Join the 2012 season-ticket waitlist

Season tickets for the Timbers ‚¬â„¢ inaugural MLS season in 2011 are sold out. Sign up today for the club ‚¬â„¢s 2012 season ticket waiting list with a $50 per-seat refundable deposit to secure your spot in line. Being on the waitlist has its benefits. Aside from being one of the first in line to purchase season tickets when they become available, you ‚¬â„¢ll have priority for additional mini-game plans released by the team during the 2011 season, access to special event pre-sale opportunities and access to the Fan Loyalty Program.

To secure your priority spot or for more information, call (503) 553-5555 or email ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com.

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