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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

June 7, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Players on national team duty part of a busy off-week for the Timbers

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers have kept busy this week during their extended break from MLS play. Over the course of the week, five Timbers players have been active with their respective national teams during the current FIFA window.

Highlighting the upcoming international matches involving Timbers players, the El Salvador National Team, with defender Steve Purdy, takes on the Costa Rica National team, featuring defender/midfielder Rodney Wallace, on Friday as the two countries continue 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

In the South Pacific, goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has featured in each of the last two matches for the New Zealand National Team as the All-Whites continue to challenge for the OFC Nations Cup, held in the Solomon Islands, and a berth in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. The All-Whites face New Caledonia on Friday in the OFC Nations Cup semifinals for a chance to play in the tournament final on Sunday.

In total, Timbers players will have competed in a combined 15 international matches played between June 1-16. The Timbers return to MLS action Sunday, June 17, on the road against the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center; kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific).

Below is a schedule of upcoming international matches involving Timbers players:

Friday, June 8

Costa Rica (Rodney Wallace) vs. El Salvador (Steve Purdy) - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Jamaica (Lovel Palmer) vs. Guatemala - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

New Zealand (Jake Gleeson) vs. New Caledonia - OFC Nations Cup (semifinals)

Saturday, June 9

The Gambia (Futty Danso) vs. Tanzania - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Sunday, June 10

OFC Nations Cup Final - TBD

Tuesday, June 12

Costa Rica (Rodney Wallace) vs. Guyana - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

El Salvador (Steve Purdy) vs. Mexico - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Jamaica (Lovel Palmer) vs. Antigua and Barbuda - 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier

Saturday, June 16

The Gambia (Futty Danso) vs. Algeria - 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier

TEAM NEWS

Timbers acquire forward, local product Danny Mwanga in trade with Philadelphia Union

On Wednesday, the Timbers acquired forward Danny Mwanga from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for forward Jorge Perlaza. In the trade, Mwanga returns to Oregon, where he played collegiately at Oregon State University and was a prep standout at Portland's Jefferson High School.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for me to come back to my hometown and play in front of family and friends," said Mwanga. "I'm excited, and I can't wait to get out to Portland and get to work. I'm proud to be a member of the Portland Timbers."

Mwanga, born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked among Philadelphia's scoring leaders following his first two seasons with the club in 2010 and 2011. Last season, he scored five goals and finished second on the team with four assists, helping the Union make their first MLS playoff appearance. As a member of Generation adidas, Mwanga tallied seven goals and was one of three finalists for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2010. Click here for highlights and more on Mwanga's return to the Rose City.

Papa Murphy's, Timbers to determine new Lumberjack Pizza on Friday

The Timbers and Papa Murphy's will determine the new Lumberjack Pizza on Friday at the Papa Murphy's location at 2609 SE 122nd Ave., in Portland, at 3 p.m. (Pacific). A judge's panel will decide upon the winning ingredients for the pizza, which will be added to Papa Murphy's menu for a limited time.

The four judges, which include Timbers midfielder Eric Alexander, Timber Joey, a representative of the Timbers Army and Papa Murphy's Portland Co-op President Jerry Kenney will weigh in on a select group of final recipes, chosen from among submissions by fans. The new Lumberjack Pizza will go on sale June 24 at local Papa Murphy's stores in the Greater Portland and SW Washington areas, with Papa Murphy's donating $1 for every Lumberjack Pizza sold to the Portland Timbers Community Fund and Children's Cancer Association.

Fan voting for 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game begins Friday

Starting Friday at 9 a.m. (Pacific), fans can vote to send Timbers players to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. The MLS All-Stars will face Chelsea FC at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), live on ESPN2.

A panel of media members nominated a total of 114 MLS players - the top six per team - to the fan ballot. Fans can vote for their all-star selections online at MLSsoccer.com or by sending a player's first and last name via text message to 22442. Twitter voting will occur June 21-22. Click here for more on the MLS All-Star voting process and to cast a vote once voting opens.

The Timbers players included on the ballot are goalkeeper Troy Perkins, defender Eric Brunner, defender/midfielder Jack Jewsbury, midfielder Diego Chara, midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe and forward Kris Boyd.

Timbers broadcast partner ROOT SPORTS receives two Emmy Awards

Timbers regional broadcast partner, ROOT SPORTS, recently received two Emmy Awards for its live coverage of the club from the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) during its 49th-Annual Emmy Awards Ceremony.

Among the 2012 Emmy nominees, ROOT SPORTS and senior director Patrick Brown, executive producer Jon Bradford and producer Mike "Pike" Parker won in the category of Sports Event/Game - Live/Unedited - Program/Special for their work on Timbers game broadcasts, marking the second consecutive win for the network in that category.

Additionally, Patrick Brown received an individual Emmy for his live directing work, including directing Timbers broadcasts.

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

The 2012 Portland Timbers Corporate Cup this summer brings Northwest corporations together for soccer and corporate networking, all while raising money for Timbers community pillar partner Portland YouthBuilders. Registration for the three-part event concludes June 30, click here to register.

Corporate teams will play matches against other corporate teams, as well as participate in a mix-and-mingle social event. The 2012 Timbers Corporate Cup final will be held at JELD-WEN Field on Aug. 18. Click here for more information.

MLS launches third-annual Community MVP Contest

Major League Soccer has launched the 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest. Fans throughout the league can nominate 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; click here to submit a nomination.

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.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors regularly 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 . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com .

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 7, 2012


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