MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on May 29, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Unbeaten in four straight league matches, the Portland Timbers begin their 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run on Wednesday when they play host to amateur U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) club Cal FC at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Starting at $10, tickets for the Timbers' U.S. Open Cup match are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Wednesday's contest, the Timbers' first U.S. Open Cup match as an MLS club, will be carried on radio broadcasts airing on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM. Fans can watch a live stream of the U.S. Open Cup match at www.portlandtimbers.com.

The Timbers competed in seven consecutive U.S. Open Cup tournaments from 2004-10 as a second-division side, reaching the third round in their last U.S. Open Cup appearance in 2010. Portland's deepest run in the tournament came in 2004 and 2005, when the club advanced to the fourth round against the San Jose Earthquakes on both occasions. Wednesday's match marks the Timbers' first appearance in the U.S. Open Cup as an MLS club. Last season, the Timbers participated in a series of MLS play-in matches attempting to qualify for the tournament proper.

If the Timbers defeat Cal FC on Wednesday, the club will host the winner of the third-round match between Seattle Sounders FC and the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) on June 5 at JELD-WEN Field.

The 2012 U.S. Open Cup, the 99th edition of the tournament, began with a 64-team field, which is the largest in the modern era (1995 to present), on May 15, with 32 amateur teams opening play in the first round. For the first time, all MLS, NASL and USL PRO professional clubs, totaling 32 clubs, are participating in the tournament proper. The 2012 tournament marks the first time since 2006 in which all U.S.-based MLS clubs are participating in the U.S. Open Cup.

Every winning team's name is engraved on the base of the Dewar Challenge Trophy, which dates to the first year of the tournament and resides at U.S. Soccer House in Chicago.

The 2012 champion will earn a $100,000 cash prize, while the runner-up will collect $50,000. The top NASL, USL PRO and amateur clubs will each receive a $10,000 prize.

The champion also gains entry into the CONCACAF Champion League preliminary rounds.

TIMBERS UPCOMING SCHEDULE & MEDIA INFORMATION

Wednesday, May 30

Timbers vs. Cal FC (2012 U.S. Open Cup) at JELD-WEN Field; 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)Web: Live stream at www.portlandtimbers.com; Radio: 750 AM The Game; Spanish Radio: La Pantera 940 AM

Friday, June 1

Timbers U-23s vs. Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 at JELD-WEN Field; 11 a.m. (Pacific)

As part of a Health & Fitness School Day at JELD-WEN Field, presented by Providence Sports Care Center; Timbers U-23s game-day will feature pre-game activities and a special on-field presentation led by Providence Health & Services.

Saturday, June 2

Timbers Reserves vs. LA Galaxy Reserves at JELD-WEN Field; 7 p.m. (Pacific)

TIMBERS GAME NOTES vs. CAL FC

- Unbeaten in four straight league matches (1-0-3), Wednesday marks the Timbers' first match in the U.S. Open Cup as an MLS club and Portland's sixth match in all competitions during the month of May.

- The meeting is the first between Cal FC and the Timbers.

- Portland has an all-time record of 2-1 against USASA clubs in the U.S. Open Cup dating back to the second-division era, both wins coming against the Sonoma County Sol (2009, 2010).

- The Timbers are missing defenders Futty Danso (The Gambia), Steve Purdy (El Salvador), goalkeeper Jake Gleeson (New Zealand), and midfielders Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica) and Lovel Palmer (Jamaica) for Wednesday's match. All five are away with their respective national teams for matches.

- Timbers forward Mike Fucito won the 2010 and 2011 U.S. Open Cup as a member of Seattle Sounders FC. Fucito scored two goals in four matches for Sounders FC during the 2011 competition.

- Timbers captain Jack Jewsbury won the 2004 U.S. Open Cup with Sporting Kansas City (then called the Kansas City Wizards).

- Forward Bright Dike is the Timbers' leading U.S. Open Cup scorer across all eras with four goals. Mandjou Keita is second with three goals.

- Cal FC midfielder/defender Mike Randolph played for the second-division Timbers during the 2006 season. Randolph made 25 appearances and played 2,170 minutes for the club before signing with MLS and the LA Galaxy for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

- Along with Randolph, another Cal FC player with previous MLS experience is forward Artur Aghasyan, who played for Real Salt Lake last season.

- Cal FC midfielder Danny Barrera has scored four of the team's seven goals in two U.S. Open Cup matches. Barrera was named Player of the Round in Rounds 1 and 2 by website, TheCup.us.

- Cal FC head coach Eric Wynalda appeared in 106 matches for the U.S. National Team, including three FIFA World Cup tournaments. He ranks second on the national team's all-time scoring chart.

TEAM NEWS

Step out of the office and onto the pitch: Register for the 2012 Portland Timbers Corporate Cup

The Portland Timbers Corporate Cup brings Pacific Northwest corporations together for soccer and corporate networking, all while raising money for Timbers charity partner, Portland YouthBuilders. The three-part event gives corporate employees a taste of the professional soccer life.

Participants will play qualifiers at the Howard M. Terpenning Complex in Beaverton, Ore., mix and mingle with Timbers at the tournament social (August 11) and hope to advance to the championship match at JELD-WEN Field (August 18). Registration closes on June 30. The tournament entry fee is $2,500 per team (10 percent discount for entering multiple teams) with proceeds benefiting Portland YouthBuilders.

Choose from three brackets - men's competitive, men's recreational or co-ed. Either choice guarantees you three matches from August 10-12 and the chance to play at JELD-WEN Field in the championship match on August 18.

Perkins stop against Vancouver nominated for MLS Save of the Week

Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins' off-balance save on a shot by Sebastien Le Toux in the 58th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC is one of five saves nominated for MLS Save of the Week for Week 12.

MLS launches third-annual Community MVP Contest

Major League Soccer recently launched the 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest. During the four-week contest, fans throughout the league will have an opportunity to nominate themselves or other individuals who are committed to going above and beyond to make a difference in their communities.

Winners will be selected based on their efforts in one of the following areas: general community service; youth programming; environmental sustainability; health and wellness; education; military or civic service. Submissions of 500 words or less will be accepted until June 21 at 4:59 p.m. (Pacific). Click here to submit your nomination.

A component of Unite. Volunteer. Serve., the Community MVP contest seeks to identify MLS fans who are passionate about making a difference in the lives they touch and are dedicated to improving their communities. Unite. Volunteer. Serve., the league's community service program, is a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote goodwill within MLS markets and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level.

One Community MVP will be chosen to represent each of the 19 MLS clubs and will receive a prize package including VIP tickets, local recognition and an autographed item. One Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice and a trip to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at PPL Park on July 25. Chelsea FC, winner of this year's UEFA Champions League, will return as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game opponent. The Grand Prize winner will receive roundtrip airfare, two nights' accommodation, a crystal award from Tiffany & Co. and official MLS merchandise as part of the prize package.

Timbers Reserves play Saturday at JELD-WEN Field against LA Galaxy Reserves

The Timbers Reserves play host to the LA Galaxy Reserves on Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. (Pacific) at JELD-WEN Field.

The match is the Timbers Reserves second home game of the 2012 MLS Reserve League season and tickets are available for $10 online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the JELD-WEN Field box office.

For group opportunities (15 or more) or to take advantage of corporate hospitality, picnic areas, and on-field opportunities, please contact the Timbers ticket office.

Boyd goal helps Timbers draw Whitecaps FC 1-1 on May 26

A goal by striker Kris Boyd in the second half helped the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw with Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC before a sellout crowd of 20,438 at JELD-WEN Field on May 26. Portland extends its unbeaten streak to four games with the draw.

The sold out JELD-WEN Field marked the Timbers 24th consecutive capacity crowd for an MLS match at JELD-WEN Field.

The Timbers pressured the Whitecaps FC defense early in the second half, and Boyd cracked the deadlock between the Northwest rivals in the 67th minute with the go-head goal. Vancouver found the equalizer from rookie forward Darren Mattocks, who scored his first MLS goal in the 84th minute, just a minute after coming into the match as a late substitute. With the 1-1 draw, the Timbers shared the points with Whitecaps FC in their first Cascadia Cup match of the 2012 season.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

TV: "Timbers In 30"

The Timbers weekly television show, "Timbers In 30," features exclusive, inside access to the club and airs each Friday at 6:30 p.m. on KPTV Fox 12. Moved to a new, Friday night time slot this season, "Timbers In 30" will focus on inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provide detailed team and game analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers players and coaches each week.

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 each Tuesdays at 6 p.m. (Pacific) on 750 AM The Game. Hosted by John Strong, "Talk Timbers" features interviews with club officials, coaches, players and special guests. The show will provide team news and the latest information from around MLS during the 2012 season.

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

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 29, 2012


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