MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on October 24, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - With the opportunity to clinch first place in the Western Conference heading into the postseason, the playoff-bound Portland Timbers visit Chivas USA at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in their regular-season finale Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The match will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS, with live radio broadcasts on FM News 101 KXL and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

With Real Salt Lake's win over Chivas USA midweek, the Timbers (13-5-15, 54pts) currently sit in second place in the Western Conference, but can retake possession of first with a win on Saturday. A win will also keep Portland, which clinched its first playoff berth in its three MLS seasons last weekend, in contention for the Supporters' Shield, which is currently led by both RSL and the New York Red Bulls, tied on 56 points.

The Timbers head into their final road mach of the regular season on a seven match unbeaten streak (4-0-3), following a draw with RSL on Oct. 19 at JELD-WEN Field. Portland's defense held RSL without a shot on goal, recording a fifth consecutive home shutout and their MLS-record setting 11th of the season at JELD-WEN Field.

Portland owns one of the best road records in MLS, with its four away losses ranking as the fewest in the league. The Timbers recorded a draw in each of their last two road matches as part of their current seven-match unbeaten run. The Timbers are tied for fifth in MLS in away scoring with 20 goals, and tied for third in fewest goals allowed (22) on the road.

Overall, the Timbers have ranked among the league's offensive and defensive leaders throughout the regular season. With 49 goals on the season, a 15-goal improvement from 2012, the Timbers rank sixth in MLS in goal-scoring. Portland has allowed just 33 goals this season, second-fewest in the league only to Sporting Kansas City's 29 goals conceded, and the Timbers' 14 shutouts overall is tied for fifth-most in MLS history for clean sheets in a single season.

The club's plus-16 goal differential is tied for the best in MLS, while its plus-38 improvement from last season in goal differential is one of the top three turnarounds in MLS history.

Saturday's fixture will mark the third regular-season meeting between the Timbers and Chivas USA this season and the eighth of the all-time MLS series between the two clubs. The Timbers recorded a decisive, 3-0 win over Chivas USA at JELD-WEN Field on May 12, with midfielder Diego Valeri recording one goal and two assists. The two clubs played to a 1-1 draw at StubHub Center on Sept. 14, with Valeri recording the equalizer early in the second half. With three victories over the Timbers in 2012, Chivas USA leads the all-time MLS series between the clubs with a 4-2-1 record.

Chivas USA (6-19-8, 26pts) has lost four straight matches since earning a point in a draw against the Timbers on Sept. 14 at home. Chivas USA had a break in league play last weekend, and opened a two-game week to close out the regular season with a 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night. After going two goals down to RSL, Chivas USA forward Julio Morales pulled one back in the 77th minute. Forward Erick Torres leads Chivas USA in scoring with seven goals in 14 appearances.

TEAM NEWS

Supporters' Shield update: Timbers in mix for league's best regular-season record

The Timbers enter the final week of the 2013 regular season in the mix for the 2013 Supporters' Shield, awarded to the club with the most points following the regular season.

Currently, Real Salt Lake and New York lead the race with 56 points, but Sporting Kansas City and the Timbers are not far behind with 55 and 54 points, respectively. Click here for the latest Supporters' Shield Standings.

To bring home the Supporters' Shield, the Timbers must win on Saturday and will need other results to go in their favor - a loss by New York vs. Chicago Fire on Sunday and a loss or draw by Sporting KC against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Seeding in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs comes down to final weekend

Following Real Salt Lake's final match of the regular season Wednesday, the Timbers' playoff seeding scenarios (and MLS Supporters' Shield chances) have come into a bit clearer of a focus.

Having already locked up a place in the postseason, there are various scenarios this weekend that could see the Timbers finish anywhere from a No. 1 seed to the No. 4 seed; click here for a comprehensive look at the various seeding scenarios for the Timbers and other clubs across MLS.

Saturday's viewing party for the Timbers regular-season finale held at Rose & Thistle Pub

Fans are invited to join the Timbers' official viewing party Saturday at Rose & Thistle Pub in downtown Portland, presented by ROOT SPORTS . The viewing party is open to fans of all ages, and starts at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Rose & Thistle is located at 2314 NE Broadway St., and there, fans can enter to win a team autographed Timbers soccer ball, an authentic Timbers jersey and tickets to the club's 2014 home opener among other prizes. Eligible season ticket holders at the viewing party can also earn Rose City Rewards points.

Want to Trick-or-Treat with Timber Joey?

Fans can enter to win the opportunity to Trick-or-Treat with Timber Joey through the Timbers' pumpkin carving contest. Simply download the Stand Together carving template, carve the logo into a pumpkin and upload a photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #TJtrickortreat. The contest ends Monday, Oct. 28.

Visit www.portlandtimbers.com/trickortreat to download the Stand Together template or for additional details.

Timbers U-23s player John McFarlin leading the way at LMU

Portland Timbers U-23s midfielder John McFarlin is having a breakout junior season at Loyola Marymount University in California. Putting up career numbers in the Lions' first 13 games of the season, McFarlin ranks among the nation's assist leaders and his success has the program at the top of the West Coast Conference standings.

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 midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe 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 .

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 24, 2013


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