MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on September 26, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play host to the LA Galaxy on Sunday at JELD-WEN Field in a nationally televised match on NBC; kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The matchup, between two clubs in the thick of the MLS Cup playoff race, will also feature local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

With a win over the Colorado Rapids last week, the Timbers (11-5-13, 46pts) moved into third place in the Western Conference, just four points back of first place in the conference and five points back of the lead for the Supporters' Shield. The Galaxy (13-10-6, 45pts) are currently in fourth place.

Portland is unbeaten in its last 12 regular-season matches at JELD-WEN Field, the third-longest, home unbeaten streak in MLS this season. The Timbers have recorded shut-out victories in each of their last two home matches against Toronto FC and Colorado, and are tied for the MLS-lead in goals per-game at home (1.93) as well as rank among league leaders in scoring at home with 27 goals.

Overall, the Timbers sit among league leaders with 45 goals this season, and are the only club in MLS with five or more players that have registered six or more goals this season. Midfielder Diego Valeri leads the club in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists; his assists total is tied for the league lead.

Defensively, Portland ranks among league leaders having allowed 31 goals, the third-fewest total in MLS. The Timbers set an MLS club single-season record with their 11th shutout of the season in the win against the Rapids and lead the league with eight home shutouts.

The Galaxy returns to the Rose City for a second time during the regular season on Sunday. In their previous visit, the Timbers notched the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time on a header by defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste to secure a 2-1 win on July 13, at JELD-WEN Field. Portland is 1-0-1 in the 2013 season series against the Galaxy, earning a point and a shutout on the road in a scoreless draw June 19 at StubHub Center. The Timbers are 2-1-0 at home against the Galaxy in the all-time MLS series between the two clubs.

With just one loss in their last seven league matches, the Galaxy enter the weekend in fourth place in the Western Conference, following a 1-1 draw with conference-leader Seattle Sounders FC last weekend. The Galaxy recorded a 3-0 victory over Costa Rican side Cartaginés in a midweek CONCACAF Champions League fixture down in Central America on Wednesday, booking a place in the knockout stage of the tournament. In MLS play, the Galaxy are unbeaten in their last three road matches (1-0-2), having scored six total goals in those games. The club's attack is led by forward Robbie Keane's 13 goals and 11 assists this season in just 18 games. Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo is unbeaten in five games (3-0-2), with a pair of shutouts, since joining the club on Aug. 5.

TEAM NEWS

Valeri's goal against Colorado up for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 30

Midfielder Diego Valeri scored his eighth goal of the season, a chipped shot from 20 yards that helped the Timbers record a 1-0 win over the Rapids last week. That goal, along with four others, are nominated for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 30. Click here to cast a vote; poll closes Thursday night.

It is Valeri's third MLS Goal of the Week nomination this season, having won the honor twice previously in Weeks 1 and 15. Valeri has scored in three straight matches for the Timbers - one game shy of a the Timbers MLS record for goals in consecutive games.

MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 30 includes Valeri

With his performance against the Rapids, Valeri was named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 30. He has been selected to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week three times in the past six weeks, and six times overall in 2013 (Weeks 1, 11, 15, 25, 26 and 30).

Midfielder Diego Chara was named honorable mention on the Team of Week for Week 30; click here for the complete list of players.

Additionally, Valeri is one of four players nominated for FutbolMLS.com's Latino de la Jornada for Week 30.

Nong's Khao Man Gai to be featured food cart Sunday at JELD-WEN Field

Sunday's featured Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance member is Nong's Khao Man Gai. Nong's will be serving their signature Tai chicken with rice dish with their famous ginger/soybean chili sauce and their fried chicken wings smothered in Nong's house sweet chili glaze at the Soccer City Grill concession stand at JELD-WEN Field.

For more information on the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance, visit www.portlandtimbers.com/PTFCA.

Timbers U-23s players have college teams atop the West Coast Conference

Only four weeks into the NCAA season, many Portland Timbers U-23s players are making an impact on their respective college squads. But specifically in the West Coast Conference, Timbers U-23s players have helped guide three schools to tops pots in the conference.

At the University of Portland, forward Jaime Velasco is off to a hot start to his sophomore campaign, scoring three goals in his first six games to lead the Pilots to a 4-2-0 start in non-conference play. Velasco notched two goals in a 3-0 win over Oregon State on Sept. 19, and his performance landed him on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week. Click here for more updates in the latest Timbers U-23s notebook.

Timbers Reserves play season finale Monday, Oct. 14 at JELD-WEN Field

The Timbers Reserves close out their 2013 MLS Reserve League season Monday, Oct. 14, against the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office and online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

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.

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, with head coach Caleb Porter as the in-studio guest.

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 .

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 26, 2013


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