MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on April 17, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers square off against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. - Following back-to-back home games, the Portland Timbers take to the road to play Real Salt Lake for the first time this season on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Saturday's match will feature a live television broadcast on KPTV FOX 12 and in Spanish on estrellaTV with local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

Portland and Real Salt Lake face each other for the first time this season after meeting six times in all competitions in 2013, including the Western Conference Championship series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Saturday's match marks the first of three regular-season meetings between the two Western Conference clubs, and the first of two matches between Portland and Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium this season. The Timbers travel to face Real Salt Lake on June 7 and play host to the Utah side on Oct. 17 in the regular-season home finale at Providence Park.

Unbeaten in consecutive games after playing to draws against Seattle (April 5) and Chivas USA (April 12) at Providence Park, Portland (0-2-4, 4pts) has registered five goals in its last two games. Midfielder Will Johnson notched his first goal of the season, scoring on a well-placed shot from just outside the penalty box in the seventh minute of a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA. Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe, who has made an MLS Timbers-record 101 career appearances for the club, and midfielder Diego Valeri each rank among league leaders in overall chances created through six games this season, according to Opta. Combined, the two players have accounted for 27 (Valeri 14, Nagbe 13) of the team's scoring chances either through open play or set pieces.

Valeri and Johnson are tied for the team lead with 18 shots apiece, while Valeri ranks second in MLS with eight shots on goal.

Real Salt Lake (2-0-4, 10pts) plays host to Portland following consecutive road games that included a scoreless draw against Sporting Kansas City (April 5) and a 2-2 draw at Philadelphia (April 12) at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. Four of Real Salt Lake's first six games have come on the road this season.

Against the Union, Real Salt Lake grabbed a late, 2-1 lead over the Union on an 85th-minute goal by midfielder Kyle Beckerman, but Philadelphia earned the draw with a 90th-minute equalizer by midfielder Maurice Edu. Real Salt Lake has relinquished the lead in three matches this season, including conceding two second-half goals in a 3-3 draw at San Jose on March 15.

Following Saturday's match, the Timbers return to the road for a second straight match, traveling to face the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, April 27, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is set for 12 noon (Pacific) and the match will be broadcast live on KPTV FOX 12 and in Spanish on estrellaTV with local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 970AM.

TEAM NEWS

Join the Timbers official viewing party Saturday at Thirsty Lion Pub and Grill

Fans are invited to attend the club's official viewing party to watch Saturday's matchup against Real Salt Lake at Thirsty Lion Pub and Grill in downtown Portland; kickoff for the game is 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). There, you can watch the match with other Timbers supporters and Timber Joey, enter to win prizes and earn Rose City Rewards points.

There are more than 20 official Timbers pub partners across the greater-Portland area. Click here for a full list of Timbers Pub Partners.

Johnson named to MLS Team of the Week, nominated for MLS Goal of the Week award

With his performance in a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA, which included scoring his first goal of the season, midfielder Will Johnson earned a place in the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 6. He tallied a well-struck shot from just outside the penalty box in the seventh minute to give Portland an early 1-0 lead in the match. Click here to see the Team of the Week.

Additionally, Johnson's go-ahead goal against Chivas USA was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week for Week 6. His right-footed strike, which was set up by midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe, is up against goals from LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Clint Dempsey, Philadelphia Union forward Andrew Wenger and Columbus Crew forward Federico Higuain. Click here to cast your vote. Voting runs until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday.

Timbers players on loan prepare for this weekend's matches

USL PRO side Sacramento Republic FC, whose roster includes Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, midfielder Aaron Long and defender Bryan Gallego, squares off against Arizona United SC at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz. Republic FC sit in second place in the USL PRO standings with a 2-1-1 (7pts) record. Gleeson has appeared in three matches (all starts), Long has earned two appearances (1 start), while Gallego has yet to appear in a game this season.

Also in USL PRO, defender Taylor Peay and forward Schillo Tshuma, who are on loan with Orange County Blues FC, face LA Galaxy II at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Peay has appeared in two of three games for Orange County Blues FC, while Tshuma earned honorable mention on the USL PRO Team of the Week in Week 2 after playing 74 minutes in a 2-0 loss against OKC Energy FC on April 5.

Timbers forward Jose Valencia, who is on loan with Olimpo BahÃ-a Blanca in Argentina's top flight, has scored five goals in 14 matches during Argentina's Torneo Final. Olimpo faces Quilmes on Saturday.

Show your support for the team on the road using the hashtag #TimbersAway

For all Timbers regular-season away games, fans will have the opportunity to submit photos of how they are watching the Timbers road games using the hashtag #TimbersAway. Post photos of your road trip, your family gathering, your outing at the official Timbers viewing party and more on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #TimbersAway.

After each match, one lucky fan will receive 12,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles. Plus, at the end of the season, one fan will receive MVP Gold status by receiving the total number of miles the team traveled during the regular season. The more #TimbersAway entries you produce, the better your chances of winning.

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 17, 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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