MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on April 10, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers play host to Chivas USA Saturday at Providence Park

PORTLAND, Ore. - Home for a second straight match, the Portland Timbers play host to Chivas USA for the first time this season on Saturday at Providence Park, presented by Portland General Electric. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Saturday's match will feature a live television broadcast on KPDX, with local radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

The Timbers (0-2-3, 3pts) extended their regular-season, home unbeaten streak to 18 games with a draw against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on April 5 at Providence Park. In that match, midfielder Diego Chara became the 12th player in MLS this season to record a multiple-goal game, recording the first brace of his MLS career. Midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Maximiliano Urruti also scored their first goals of the season against Seattle, while midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe played in his 100th league game for the club. The Timbers are tied for third in the league in home goal-scoring with six goals, and rank among MLS leaders in shots (77) and chances created (53).

Saturday marks the first of three regular-season meetings between Portland and Chivas USA (1-2-2, 5pts) this season, and the first of two games between the clubs at Providence Park. The Timbers went unbeaten (2-0-1) in the 2013 season series against Chivas USA, including a 3-0 victory at Providence Park on May 12, 2013, and a 5-0 win in the regular-season finale at StubHub Center on Oct. 26, 2013. Led by Valeri's four goals and three assists, the Timbers out-scored Chivas USA 9-1 over the three-game series last season. Overall, the Timbers are 3-4-1 against Chivas USA in the all-time MLS series dating back to 2011, but Portland owns an 11-6 advantage in goal-scoring in the series.

After opening the 2014 campaign with a win over the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA is winless in their last four games. The Goats lost 3-0 to crosstown rivals LA Galaxy last weekend, suffering their first shutout of the season. Striker Erick Torres is tied for the league lead in goal-scoring with four goals. Torres has tallied all but two of Chivas USA's six goals on the season, including both of the club's goals on the road. Additionally, veteran midfielder Mauro Rosales is tied for second among MLS's assist leaders with three. On the road this season, Chivas USA is 0-1-1, having earned a point in a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls on March 30.

TEAM NEWS

Three Timbers players nominated for MLS Goal of the Week

Three Timbers are in the running for the MLS Goal of the Week for Week 5, with Diego Chara, Maximiliano Urruti and Diego Valeri tallying standout goals against Sounders FC on April 5. Visit MLSsoccer.com to vote for Goal of the Week before voting ends Thursday night.

Valeri struck for his first goal of the season off the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle in the first half against Seattle, while second-half goals from distance by both Chara and Urruti were up for the best goal of the weekend. Click here to view their goals.

Goalkeeper Andrew Weber up for MLS Save of the Week for second consecutive week

For a second straight week, Timbers goalkeeper Andrew Weber has a save nominated for MLS Save of the Week. His diving save on a header by Seattle's Chad Marshall is in the running for MLS Save of the Week for Week 5. Click here to view the nominees.

A Timbers goalkeeper has been nominated for MLS Save of the Week in four of the first five weeks of the 2014 season. Cast a vote at MLSsoccer.com before the poll closes Thursday night.

Chara named to MLS Team of the Week, Nagbe receives honorable mention

With the first two-goal performance of his MLS career, midfielder Diego Chara earned a place in the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 5. He tallied long-range goals in the ninth and 55th minutes of the 4-4 draw with Sounders FC on April 5. Click here to see the Team of the Week.

Additionally, midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe received honorable mention for his performance against Seattle, making his 100th appearance for Portland.

Stumplings to be featured food cart Saturday at Providence Park

As part of the match-day experience at Providence Park, fans can enjoy food from four of Portland's most popular food carts through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA). The featured cart on Saturday at Providence Park will be Stumplings.

Stumplings will be serving its chicken and spinach steamed stumplings and its roasted pork bao with a choice of Asian chipotle, chili hoison or Thai mustard sauces from the Soccer City Grill concession stand.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food cart culture. The featured food carts this season - at both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home games - include Nong's Khao Man Gai, 808 Grinds, Big Ass Sandwiches and Stumplings. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/ptfca-members .

Portland's on-loan players contributing to respective USL PRO clubs

Timbers players on loan in USL PRO are continuing to contribute to their respective clubs.

Defender Taylor Peay and midfielder Schillo Tshuma each started for Orange County Blues FC against OKC Energy FC on April 5, making their professional debuts. Tshuma earned honorable mention on the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 3 for his performance against OKC Energy FC.

Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson played the full 90 for Sacramento Republic FC on Monday, helping the club capture is first-ever win with a 3-1 road victory over the Chivas USA Reserves.

Republic FC and Blues FC square off this weekend on Saturday at 7 p.m. (Pacific); click here to catch the live stream.

Timbers, AC Portland return 50/50 raffle, fundraiser for a second season in 2014

A resounding success in 2013, the Timbers and AC Portland have teamed with Pointstreak 5050 to once again bring the 50/50 raffle to fans at Providence Park.

At all Timbers and Thorns FC home games in 2014, fans will 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 50/50 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 event's net proceeds. The remaining proceeds benefit AC Portland and the Portland Timbers Community Fund.

Be part of the 2014 KeyBank LTFC

All Timbers and Thorns FC fans 12-years-old or younger are encouraged to be part of the 2014 KeyBank LTFC. A $25 membership gets you an exclusive 2014 KeyBank LTFC Timbers/Thorns scarf, two free Thorns FC flex tickets, an invitation to exclusive KeyBank LTFC team training and autograph session and other great benefits.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30" will offer inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provide analysis with in-studio appearances from Timbers coaches and players. Previously aired shows and "Timbers in 30" features can be found at www.timbers.com .

"Timbers in 30" will air on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on KPTV FOX 12.

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Wednesday 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.timbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 10, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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