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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

May 8, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers play host to LA Galaxy in Mother's Day match at Providence Park

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers continue a stretch of three consecutive home matches on Sunday, playing host to the LA Galaxy at Providence Park. The nationally televised Mother's Day match, presented by adidas, is scheduled to kick off at 11:30 a.m. (Pacific).

Sunday's match will feature a live national television broadcast on NBC Sports Network, with local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.

The Timbers (1-3-5, 8pts) enter Sunday's match following a dramatic, 3-2 win over D.C. United on May 3 at Providence Park as forward Maximilano Urruti tallied the game-winning goal in the final minute of second-half stoppage time, forward GastÃ"n Fernández scored the fastest goal in Timbers MLS history just 34 seconds into the match and defender Futty Danso tallied his first regular-season goal since 2011. The victory, Portland's first of the season, extended the team's MLS-club record, home unbeaten streak to 20 consecutive games (12-0-8), which stands as the fourth-longest in MLS history.

Midfielder Diego Valeri, who recorded two assists against D.C. United, became the Timbers MLS career leader in assists, tallying the 14th and 15th of his Timbers career, while midfielder Diego Chara, defender Jack Jewsbury and midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe each notched the 95th career start during their Timbers MLS career.

Unbeaten against the LA Galaxy during the 2013 MLS season, the Timbers play host to their Western Conference foes for the first time this year Sunday. Portland posted a 2-0-1 record against the Galaxy in 2013 with a scoreless draw (the Timbers' first road point against LA) at the StubHub Center on June 19, 2013, followed by a dramatic, 2-1 stoppage-time win at Providence Park on July 13, 2013, and a 1-0 shutout on Sept. 29, 2013, at Providence Park. Portland has registered 10 goals in eight all-time matches against the Galaxy since 2011, which ranks fourth for the most goals against a single opponent in the team's MLS history (the Timbers have recorded 12 goals against Chivas USA, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC in regular-season play).

Starting the week, the Timbers ranked fifth in MLS in overall scoring chances created (89), according to Opta. Individually, Valeri ranked tied for third overall with 23 chances created, while midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe isn't too far behind with 19 chances created. Forward GastÃ"n Fernández has created 17 chances this season, while also leading the team with four goals. At the start of the week, Portland was the only team with three players among the top-15 in chances created.

The Galaxy (2-2-2, 8pts) enter Sunday's match following a 1-0 loss against Colorado on May 3 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. After conceding the go-ahead goal in the 20th minute, Galaxy forward Robbie Keane missed a potential game-tying penalty kick in the second half as head coach Bruce Arena's side was unable to score the equalizer. The 2011 and 2012 MLS Cup champion-Galaxy have played just six regular-season matches this season while also competing in the quarterfinal knockout round of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, falling 4-3 on aggregate to Mexican side Club Tijuana. The Galaxy have faced Real Salt Lake and Vancouver twice already in 2014, earning a 1-1-2 combined record against the Western Conference clubs. Keane leads the team with four goals in six appearances while Swedish midfielder Stefan Ishizaki has tallied two goals and two assists.

TEAM NEWS

Timbers loan forward Schillo Tshuma to USL PRO side Arizona United SC

On Tuesday, the Timbers loaned rookie forward Schillo Tshuma to USL PRO club Arizona United SC. Tshuma, the No. 17 overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and a member of Generation adidas, made his professional debut while on loan with USL PRO side Orange County Blues FC, starting and playing 74 minutes on April 5. A native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Tshuma was named to the honorable mention list for the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 3 of the season.

Timbers on loan: McKenzie earns USL PRO Team of the Week honor

Timbers defender Rauwshan McKenzie, who is on loan with Orange County Blues SC of USL PRO, was named to the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 7 after a solid defensive performance in a 2-1 loss against Sacramento Republic FC on May 3. McKenzie was also listed as an honorable mention pick on the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 6 of the season after logging 90 minutes in consecutive matches. Also with Orange County, defender Taylor Peay has played the full 90 minutes in three straight games. Orange County plays host to Charlotte tonight; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Click here to watch a live webstream of the match.

On loan with USL PRO club Arizona United SC, defender Bryan Gallego registered his first professional assist in a 2-1 win over Charlotte on May 3 at Peoria Sports Complex. Gallego's assist to forward Bradlee Baladez in the 64th minute helped give Arizona United SC a 2-0 lead in the match.

Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and midfielder George Fochive each turned in 90-minute performances on loan with Sacramento Republic FC in a 2-1 win over Orange County on May 3 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento. Fochive made his professional debut on April 26 in a loss against Harrisburg City Islanders, entering the match as a substitute in the 62nd minute. Gleeson has compiled a 2-1-1 overall record and a 1.30 goals-against average in four appearances for Republic FC.

In Argentina, forward Jose Valencia played 89 minutes in a scoreless draw for Olimpo BahÃ-a Blanca against Rosario Central. Olimpo has two matches remaining in the Torneo Final schedule.

GastÃ"n Fernández nominated for MLS Goal of the Week

Forwad GastÃ"n Fernández tallied the fastest goal in Timbers MLS history, scoring just 34 seconds into a 3-2 win over D.C. United on May 3 at Providence Park.

Taking a well-placed cross from midfielder Diego Valeri in the center of the penalty box, Fernández skillfully lifted the ball over oncoming D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid and then side-volleyed the ball into the back of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

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

Recording an assist in a strong performance against D.C. United, midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe earned a place in the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 9. Click here to see the Team of the Week.

Additionally, midfielder Diego Valeri received honorable mention for his performance against D.C. United, in which he registered two assists and played a part in each of Portland's three goals.

Timbers U-23s to play host to Arizona United SC in second round of 2014 U.S. Open Cup

The Portland Timbers U-23s will play host to Arizona United SC of USL PRO in the second round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 13, at Providence Park at 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Tickets for the Timbers U-23s' second-round match, priced at $10, are now on sale and available for purchase online at www.timbers.com, by phone at (888) 736-6849 or through the Providence Park box office.

Both the Portland Timbers and Timbers U-23s are set to participate in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup. All 16 U.S.-based clubs from Major League Soccer will compete, entering cup play in the fourth round June 10-18. The Timbers U-23s are one of 19 teams from United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League participating in the tournament.

The Timbers will participate in the U.S. Open Cup proper for a third consecutive season. In 2013, the Timbers made their deepest run in the tournament in club history, reaching the semifinal.

Stumptown Dumplings to be featured food cart Sunday 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). Featured on Sunday at Providence Park will be an Asian street-food favorite, Stumptown Dumplings.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food cart culture. In addition to Stumptown Dumplings, Nong's Khao Man Gai, 808 Grinds and Big Ass Sandwiches also will be featured at Providence Park in 2014 at both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home games. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/ptfca-members.

Timbers U-23s open 2014 PDL schedule with Providence Health & Fitness days

The Portland Timbers U-23s open their sixth Premier Development League (PDL) season on Thursday, May 15, with the first of two Providence Health & Fitness Days at Providence Park. The 2014 season marks the fifth year of the Providence Health & Fitness Days program, promoting healthy living to youth in the community through soccer.

The two Providence Health & Fitness Day matches will feature matchups against Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 on Thursday, May 15, and Puget Sound Gunners FC on Friday, May 30. Featuring a host of activities, including a pregame assembly, the daytime matches kick off at 11 a.m. (Pacific).

Tickets for the Providence Health & Fitness Days at Providence Park are $10 and are available for purchase online at www.timbers.com or through the stadium box office. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more; contact the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com for additional information.

Enter to win "Be a Timbers Player for a Day" by filling up at participating 76 gas stations

Fans who fill up their car with eight gallons or more at participating 76 gas station locations from May 1-31 will receive a co-branded 76/Portland Timbers cowbell keychain and have a chance to enter the grand prize drawing. The grand prize package includes VIP seats to the August 24 match against Seattle at Providence Park, plus a locker room tour, a meet-and-greet with team members, a $500 gas card and more.

For more information and to see participating locations, visit www.76.com/timbers.

Timbers, Thorns FC team up with local partners to present third-annual Stand Together Week

With the help of local community partners and the city of Portland, the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC will present their third-annual Stand Together Week from June 16-22. The comprehensive, week-long community initiative supports dozens of nonprofit projects and volunteer opportunities across the city.

Stand Together Week, with the help of Hands On Greater Portland, will consist of upwards of 38 volunteer projects, benefitting more than 30 organizations focused on youth and the environment across the Portland metro area. This year, Stand Together Week also will include three projects in Bend, Ore. Fans are invited to volunteer and team up with mascot Timber Joey, select Portland Timbers and Thorns FC players, Timbers alumni ambassadors and club staff on the various projects.

Supported by Presenting Partners adidas, Alaska Airlines, Coca-Cola, Daimler Trucks North America, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, KPTV FOX 12 and Providence Health Plan, Stand Together Week kicks off Monday, June 16, with a community gardening party at the Rhododendron Garden in Hillsboro. Each project will engage fans and community members and have a meaningful impact on the community.

To sign up as a volunteer for one of the Stand Together Week projects or for more information on the overall initiative, please visit www.portlandtimbers.com/standtogetherweek.

Timbers to conduct U-18, U-16 Academy team tryouts July 8-10

The Portland Timbers will conduct an open tryout for the Timbers U-18 and U-16 Academy teams July 8-10, searching for players for the 2014-15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. The tryout will be held at the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District's Howard M. Terpenning Complex in Beaverton, Ore.

Led by the Timbers Academy and youth-development coaches, the tryout is open to all youth players from throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Participants can register for the tryout online at registration.portlandtimbers.com; the deadline to sign up is Monday, June 30, at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Additional tryout details and registration information is available at www.timbers.com.

Following the open tryout, the Timbers will conduct an invitational combine for select players, July 14-17. Preseason activities for Timbers Academy teams begin Aug. 18.

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" offers inside access to the inner-workings and personalities of the club and provides 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" airs 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.

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