MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on August 9, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - On a three-match unbeaten run, the Portland Timbers open a two-game road trip Sunday as they visit the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium at 6 p.m. (PT). Sunday's match is the second in a string of three straight road games for the Timbers.

The matchup against the Dynamo, featuring the return of Timbers head coach John Spencer to Houston against his former club, will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS as well as nationally in Spanish on Galavisión. Radio broadcasts will be available on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

Portland opened its busiest month of the season with a four-point week last week, defeating the LA Galaxy 3-0 at JELD-WEN Field on Aug. 3 and then picking up a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes over the weekend. The Timbers have just one loss in their last five games, posting a 2-1-2 record in that span to move within striking distance of playoff contention.

Prior to joining the Timbers, Spencer served as an assistant coach for the Houston under head coach Dominic Kinnear for nearly five seasons (2006-2010). He helped lead the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007 as well as four consecutive playoff appearances. From 2006-08, Spencer also coached the Dynamo Reserves, guiding Houston's reserve squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division championship. Spencer was named Portland's first MLS head coach Aug. 10, 2010.

Also making their returns to Houston are defenders Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer, who were recently acquired from the Dynamo in a trade on July 21. Chabala was drafted by the Dynamo in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft and played his first five and a half seasons in Houston. Palmer was signed by the Dynamo early in the 2010 MLS campaign.

Sunday's meeting is the first of two during the regular season between the Timbers and Dynamo. The two clubs will meet in the Timbers' regular-season home finale on Friday, Oct. 14, at JELD-WEN Field.

Following the match in Houston this weekend, the Timbers travel to take on Sporting Kansas City at the new LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 5:30 p.m. (PT) on FOX 12 and estrellaTV.

Spencer, Chabala and Perlaza named to MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week

For their efforts as part of the club's four-point week last week, Timbers head coach John Spencer, defender Mike Chabala and forward Jorge Perlaza were all named to the MLSsoccer.com MLS Team of the Week: Week 21.

Led by Spencer, the Timbers ended the LA Galaxy's 14-game unbeaten streak on Aug. 3 with a 3-0 win at JELD-WEN Field and then earned a point on the road in a draw with San Jose. With the results from last week, Portland has strung together its first unbeaten run since early May.

Chabala scored his first goal as a member of the Timbers in the 3-0 win over the Galaxy, earning his first Team of the Week selection. Perlaza recorded three points with a goal and an assist during the week, collecting his second Team of the Week honors this season.

Timbers players, staff join Portland YouthBuilders in special home build Tuesday

Swinging hammers and wearing tool belts, several Timbers players and staff teamed with pillar partner Portland YouthBuilders for a special home build project on Tuesday in Portland. The collaboration was in effort to help build a new home for a deserving Portland-area family.

In addition, the Timbers and MLS W.O.R.K.S. presented Portland YouthBuilders with a check for $20,000.

Malone's Ale House to host official viewing party for Sunday's match against Dynamo

Fans are invited to join the Timbers' official viewing party Sunday at Malone's Ale House in Beaverton, Ore., to watch the club take on the Houston Dynamo at 6 p.m. (PT), presented by ROOT SPORTS and Budweiser. Sunday's viewing party is open to fans 21 and older.

Malone's Ale House, located at 1175 NW 185th Ave. in Beaverton, is one of several local pubs and restaurants featured with the club's pub partner program in 2011. Fans can enjoy both food and beverage specials and meet club mascot Timber Joey. The first 50 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition "Timbers in Oregon/Heart in Oregon" stickers. Fans who donate two cans of food or donate $5 to the Oregon Food Bank at Malone's Ale House will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

MLS announces 2011 MLS Cup Playoff Dates

Major League Soccer announced Tuesday dates for this season's MLS Cup Playoff matches, culminating in MLS Cup 2011 on Sunday, Nov. 20 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The road to the league's 16th championship consists of 13 total games, with a break for FIFA fixture dates (Nov. 11 & 15) between the conference championships and MLS Cup. The broadcast schedule and kickoff times for playoff games will be announced at a later date.

Ten teams will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs upon the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 23. The top three teams in each conference will enter as automatic qualifiers and the next four teams, regardless of conference, will enter the Wild Card Games.

The Timbers (7-10-5, 26pts) enter the week just three points back of the 10th and final playoff position, currently held by Chivas USA (7-8-8) on 29 points.

Deadline for club's Captain's Armband contest is Thursday

Through a special contest, the Timbers are asking fans to help design a Timbers-branded captain's armband that will be worn by captain Jack Jewsbury for the remainder of the 2011 season. Fans may submit designs that will be worn with the primary (green) kit or the secondary ("Rose City" red) kit using the guidance of a downloadable template. Jewsbury and the Timbers soccer staff with then select the two corresponding winning designs; all entries must be submitted by Thursday, Aug. 11, by 5 p.m. (PT).

JELD-WEN Field to play host to Providence Bridge Pedal Health & Wellness Expo Sunday

Adding excitement to the finish line of the 16th-annual Providence Bridge Pedal, JELD-WEN Field will play host to the Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun-filled event at JELD-WEN Field will offer health care information and free blood pressure screenings from Providence Health & Services, info on recreational adventures from LifeBalance and a variety of activities and entertainment.

The annual Providence Bridge Pedal offers the Portland community the opportunity to tour the city's bridges by bicycle or foot, including a variety of bicycling routes up to 36 miles long. For more information on the event, please visit www.ProvidenceBridgePedal.org.

A portion of the Providence Bridge Pedal proceeds will be used by Providence Heart and Vascular Institute to purchase and donate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to community organizations and gathering places.

Timbers Reserves open second half of MLS Reserve League season with 2-0 win

Forward Brian Umony recorded a goal and an assist and forward Bright Dike scored his first goal in 2011 as the Portland Timbers Reserves defeated the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves 2-0 at the Nutrilite Training Facility on Aug. 7.

With the win, the Timbers Reserves (3-2-1, 10pts) recorded their second straight victory and extended their unbeaten streak in the MLS Reserve League to three games.

Dike scored his first goal of the season as he returns to form from an Achillies injury in preseason and Umony logged his third assist for the Timbers Reserves. Goalkeeper Adin Brown made two saves to earn the first shutout of the MLS Reserve League season for Portland.

Tune in to 'Talk Timbers,' 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 'Timbers in 30' on KPTV FOX 12

The Timbers' TV show "Timbers in 30" 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, "Timbers in 30" 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' inaugural MLS season in 2011 are sold out. Sign up today for the club'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'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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Major League Soccer Stories from August 9, 2011


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