MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on November 14, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers face break in play ahead of Leg 2 of conference championship

PORTLAND, Ore. - Due to FIFA international dates, the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake face a break between legs of the Western Conference Championship and will square off in Leg 2 on Sunday, Nov. 24, at JELD-WEN Field at 6 p.m. (Pacific) in a nationally televised match on ESPN.

The two clubs met in Leg 1 on Nov. 10 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, with Real Salt Lake taking a two-goal lead in the two-game, aggregate-goal series. The winner of the series will advance to MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 7, against the winner of the Eastern Conference Championship between the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City.

The Timbers are unbeaten in their last 16 games at JELD-WEN Field between the regular season and MLS Cup Playoffs, and posted a league-best 11-1-5 record at home during the regular season. Portland set an MLS single-season record with 11 home shutouts during the regular season, including one against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 19 in the club's regular-season home finale. The Timbers have allowed just two goals in their last six matches at JELD-WEN Field.

During the regular season, the Timbers twice overcame two-goal deficits to record results, fighting back to earn a 3-3 draw against 2013 Supporters' Shield winners New York Red Bulls and a 2-2 draw on the road against the Colorado Rapids in matches back in March. Portland has scored three or more goals in a match eight times during the regular season and playoffs, including a three-goal output against Seattle Sounders FC in Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Nov. 7.

TEAM NEWS

2013 MLS Cup Playoffs: Four teams left in quest for MLS Cup

The first legs in the Conference Championships of the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs set the table for a pair exciting matchups in Leg 2 next weekend. The two conference winners will square off for MLS Cup in early December. Below is the remaining schedule for the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Conference Championships

First Leg (Home teams listed first):

Houston Dynamo 0 - 0 Sporting Kansas City - Series tied at 0-0 on aggregate

Real Salt Lake 4 - 2 Portland Timbers - RSL leads series 4-2 on aggregate

Second Leg (Home teams listed first):

Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo - Sat., Nov. 23, 4:30 p.m. PT (NBC SN, UDN, TSN2, RDS2)

Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake - Sun., Nov. 24, 6 p.m. PT (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

MLS Cup

Saturday, Dec. 7 (hosted by finalist with best regular-season record) - 1 p.m. PT (ESPN, UniMas, TSN2, RDS)

#OnwardRoseCity: Fans can submit messages to team ahead of Nov. 24 match against RSL

The support in Portland is second to none in MLS, and supporters are invited to send a message to the team that will be posted in the locker room ahead of the Timbers' second leg against Real Salt Lake on Nov. 24 at JELD-WEN Field.

Simply post a message to the team - with or without a photo - through social media platforms Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #OnwardRoseCity by Sunday, Nov. 17. Click here for additional details.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts remains in race for Save of the Year

Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was a 10-time winner of MLS Save of the Week during the 2013 regular season and has one save currently up for vote in the Round of 16 of the 2013 Save of the Year race.

Ricketts' diving save with an outstretched hand on a close-range header by Montreal Impact forward Marco Di Vaio on March 9 at JELD-WEN Field is one of four saves in Group 1. Click here to cast a vote; poll closes Thursday night.

The 2013 Save of the Year voting is organized as a World Cup-style tournament, and it all culminates in the announcement of the Save of the Year on Thursday, Dec. 5. Here is the schedule for the remaining second-round groups: Group 2 (Nov. 15-16), Group 3 (Nov. 17-18), Group 4 (Nov. 19-20).

2013 MLS Goal of the Year reaches final 16; Diego Valeri goal currently up for vote

The race for the AT&T Goal of the Year has reached the final 16, and currently up for vote is midfielder Diego Valeri's first MLS goal against New York on March 3. His goal is one of four in Group I, which is open for voting through Friday, Nov. 15.

Just like the last two years, the AT&T Goal of the Year competition will be decided from a field of 64 goals. The schedule for the Round of 16 voting is as follows: Group II (Nov. 16-17), Group III (Nov. 18-19), Group IV (Nov. 20-21). The top vote-getter from each group advances to the final round.

Timbers U-23s Notebook: Clark Phillips aiding in turnaround season for Gonzaga

The Gonzaga University men's soccer team is determined to defy preseason expectations. Gonzaga was selected to finish last in the West Coast Conference in a preseason coaches' poll for a third straight year, but Timbers U-23s forward Clark Phillips has helped spark a turnaround season in 2013 that has the Bulldogs in conversations for a bid in the NCAA tournament.

Phillips, a junior, has helped Gonzaga to a 9-5-3 record (4-3-3 in WCC play). The team's win total in 2013 equals the two previous seasons combined. The Portland native is also integrating successful habits from his time with the Timbers U-23s into the daily routine at Gonzaga.

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 .

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Major League Soccer Stories from November 14, 2013


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