MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

August 6, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers travel to face Real Salt Lake in the semifinals of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The matchup, featuring two of the best teams in MLS's Western Conference, will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS, with Christian Miles and Brian Dunseth on the call. The match will also be broadcast live on flagship station 750 The Game.

Wednesday's match is the first of three meetings between the Timbers and Real Salt Lake in the month of August, with regular-season matchups scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21 at JELD-WEN Field and Friday, Aug. 30, back at Rio Tinto Stadium.

It is the first semifinal appearance in the U.S. Open Cup for both the Timbers and Real Salt Lake, and the winner of Wednesday's cup fixture will play host to the U.S. Open Cup final. The two sides are among the four MLS clubs, along with the Chicago Fire and D.C. United, in the semifinal round.

Portland, tied for second place in the Western Conference, defeated FC Dallas 3-2 on the road in the quarterfinal on June 26 to advance to the semifinal for the first time in club history. After going down a goal, the Timbers responded with three consecutive goals in the second half by Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri and Frederic Piquionne to defeat FC Dallas.

The Timbers also defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) in third- and fourth-round matches, respectively, played at JELD-WEN Field. The Timbers have outscored opponents 10-3 in their three U.S. Open Cup matches, with goals scored by six different players.

Real Salt Lake reached the semifinal after defeating the Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL), Charleston Battery (USL PRO) and Carolina RailHawks (NASL) in previous rounds all played at Rio Tinto Stadium. In league play, the club sits in first place in the Western Conference and is tied for the lead in the Supporters' Shield standings, just three points ahead of Portland. Real Salt Lake, however, is winless in its last three regular-season games, with losses to Eastern Conference clubs New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City.

The 2013 U.S. Open Cup - the 100th edition of the competition - began on May 14 with 68 total teams, marking the largest field in the modern era (1995-present). The tournament includes clubs, both professional and amateur, from across the U.S. soccer landscape; all Division I, II and III clubs affiliated with U.S. Soccer participate in the tournament proper.

The U.S. Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament, has crowned a champion for 99 consecutive years beginning in 1914. The winning team has its name is engraved on the base of the Dewar Challenge Trophy and qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League.

TEAM NEWS

Timbers or Real Salt Lake to host U.S. Open Cup Final

U.S. Soccer announced last week that the winner of the semifinal match between the Timbers and Real Salt Lake will host the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. The location of the championship match was decided after a coin flip at the headquarters of the U.S. Soccer Federation in Chicago; watch the official coin flip.

If Portland defeats Real Salt Lake in its semifinal match Wednesday, the U.S. Open Cup Final will be played on Sept. 24 at JELD-WEN Field. Neither the Timbers nor Real Salt Lake have advanced to a U.S. Open Cup final, which means the championship will be hosted in a location for the first time.

Timbers Stand Together Week in full swing

The Timbers' second-annual Stand Together Week began Sunday and is in full swing. The kick-off event featured Timbers players Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri among the 60-plus volunteers at a cleanup event at Dairy Creek Park in Hillsboro, Ore. Click here to watch activities from the first two days of Stand Together Week.

Supported by partners adidas, Alaska Airlines, CenturyLink, Coca-Cola and Providence Health & Services, Stand Together Week is the club's annual citywide initiative bringing the community together in support of nonprofit projects and volunteer opportunities across the metro area. The week will feature hundreds of volunteers contributing to almost 30 projects, benefitting more than 20 nonprofit organizations across Portland.

To volunteer for one of the remaining activities or to view a complete schedule of events, visit www.portlandtimbers.com/standtogetherweek .

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

JELD-WEN Field, home of the Timbers, will play host to the Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Among the activities, is a scavenger hunt with a chance to win a Timbers prize package, a special meet-and-greet with Timbers forward Bright Dike and mascot Timber Joey from 1:30-2:30 p.m., and free PlaySmart heart screenings for youth.

The expo will help kickoff the Providence Bridge Pedal, the second-largest community bicycle ride in the country and the third largest in the world, on Sunday. More than 18,000 cyclists are expected to participate this year. For routes, registration and more: www.providencebridgepedal.org.

Timbers, AC Portland partner with Pointstreak 5050 on new in-game raffle, fundraiser

The Timbers and AC Portland have teamed with Pointstreak 5050 on an innovative platform to raise funds for the Portland community and region through a new, electronic 50/50 raffle. The Pointstreak 5050 system enables tickets to be sold every league match at JELD-WEN Field through electronic devices.

Fans have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets from the time gates open until the 60th minute, and jackpot totals will be displayed in real time on the scoreboard and at the AC Portland 5050 kiosk located near Gate 4. One winning ticket will be selected and announced at the 70th minute of the match with the winner taking home half of the evening's net proceeds. The remaining proceeds benefit AC Portland and Portland Timbers Community Fund.

Timbers, Thorns FC launch new online auction site to benefit Stand Together

The Timbers and Portland Thorns FC have launched a new online auction website, featuring autographed memorabilia, game-worn gear and one-of-a-kind game-day experiences, with proceeds benefitting the clubs' community outreach platform Stand Together and the Portland Timbers Community Fund. Click here to view the items currently up for bid.

Stand Together supports local nonprofit organizations focusing on youth programs related to sport, education, fitness and the environment. The Stand Together mission is to harness the power of sport to improve the lives of children and families in the region through targeted programs, deep partnerships and philanthropic giving and is supported in part by adidas, Alaska Airlines, JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, Burgerville, and PGE.

Timbers invite fans to "˜Spread the Love'

The Timbers are inviting fans to nominate deserving people in the community to receive free match tickets through the club's "Spread the Love" campaign. Through special nominations by fans at www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com and the work of 107 Timbers ambassadors, fans who have not attended a Timbers match are getting their first experiences at JELD-WEN Field. Fans will be selected prior to each home match throughout the season, and will receive a special "Spread the Love" welcome packet, which includes a custom scarf, tickets to a Timbers match, a Timbers Reserves match and a Portland Thorns FC match, all in a Timbers tote bag. Visit www.SpreadtheLovePTFC.com to learn more and to nominate a deserving fan today.

Timbers launch Rose City Rewards for club's season ticket holders

The Timbers have launched Rose City Rewards, a special program available to the club's season ticket holders through their Season Ticket Card. Now, season tickets holders can accrue points to achieve different rewards levels and be invited to participate in one-of-a-kind experiences, such as tours of the adidas Timbers Training Center and other exclusive Rose City Rewards events. Points can be gained by attending matches at JELD-WEN Field, watching away matches on the club's broadcast partners or by watching the club's weekly television show, "Timbers in 30," each Friday on KPTV FOX 12. Loyalty points can then be used to bid on exclusive items. Click here for more on Rose City Rewards.

To join the Timbers Season Ticket Waiting List, contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com .

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

This week's episode of "Timbers in 30" will air Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12.

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30" will offer inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provided analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. 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 every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 The Game. "Talk Timbers," provides team and league news as well as interviews with Timbers coaches and players during the season, and will also feature regular updates on Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on the show on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from August 6, 2013


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