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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

May 27, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers looking for second straight road win Wednesday at Chivas USA, face quick turnaround with home match Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a 2-1 win on the road against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., the Portland Timbers continue their busy stretch with a road match on Wednesday against Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Quickly after Wednesday's match, Portland returns to the Rose City to play host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday at Providence Park. Kickoff for Sunday's match is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Pacific).

Wednesday's match will feature a live television broadcast on KPDX as former Timbers analyst and current NBC Sports Network broadcaster Robbie Earle joins Keith Bleyer (play-by-play) and Ross Smith (analyst) in the booth. A local radio broadcast will be carried on 750 The Game.

Portland (2-3-7, 13pts) enters Wednesday's match on a five-game unbeaten streak. The Timbers, who have earned a 2-0-3 record during the streak, are coming off their first road win of the season after earning a 2-1 victory over New York on Saturday. Forward Maximiliano Urruti became the ninth Timbers MLS player to register a brace, and the second to do so this season, with goals in the 45th and 74th minutes against the Red Bulls.

The Timbers are unbeaten in their last four regular-season matches against Chivas USA (2-0-2), including a 1-0-1 mark in their last two trips to the StubHub Center. Portland has earned a point in seven of its last eight matches this season, including a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on April 12 at Providence Park.

Individually, Urruti has tallied three goals in the last two matches and is tied for the team lead with five goals. Midfielder Diego Valeri leads the team with four goals and three assists in four career matches all-time against Chivas USA including a brace against the Goats in a 5-0 win at the StubHub Center on Oct. 26, 2013, in last year's regular-season finale.

Chivas USA (2-5-4, 10pts) enters Wednesday's match with a modest two-game unbeaten streak after recording a 3-1 win over Colorado on May 11 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., and a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas on May 17 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Midfielder MartÃ-n Rivero has registered an assist in consecutive matches for Chivas USA, while forward Erick Torres leads the club with eight goals in 11 games. No other player for Chivas USA has scored more than two goals this season. The Goats, who haven't played since their draw with FC Dallas on May 17, are 1-3-1 overall at the StubHub Center in 2014.

Following Wednesday's match, the Timbers return to Portland to play host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday at Providence Park. Sunday's match marks Portland's second Cascadia Cup game of the season after previously playing to a 4-4 draw against Seattle Sounders FC on April 5 at Providence Park. Sounders FC currently have a slim lead in the Cascadia Cup standings with a 0-0-2 record. Portland, Vancouver and Seattle have yet to earn a win against each other in 2014 following a 2-2 draw between Whitecaps FC and Sounders FC on May 24 at BC Place in Vancouver.

Whitecaps FC (4-2-5, 17pts) enter Sunday's match on a five-game unbeaten streak including 2-2 draws against the LA Galaxy (April 19), Real Salt Lake (April 26) and Seattle (May 24). Portland leads the all-time MLS series against Vancouver with an undefeated, 4-0-4 record since 2011. Sunday's match marks the ninth all-time meeting between the two Pacific Northwest clubs in the MLS era and the 77th all-time meeting across all eras.

Sunday's match will be carried live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game; kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Pacific).

TEAM NEWS

Timbers sign defender Danny O'Rourke

On Tuesday, the Timbers announced the signing of experienced MLS defender Danny O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, a veteran of nine MLS seasons and 188 career appearances (176 starts) in the league, joins the Timbers after making 22 appearances (19 starts) for the Columbus Crew during the 2013 season, logging 1,723 minutes of action. Drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, O'Rourke, 30, played one season with San Jose (2005) and one with New York (2006) before joining Columbus.

NBC Sports Network broadcaster Robbie Earle to join Timbers broadcast on Wednesday

Former Timbers analyst and current NBC Sports Network broadcaster Robbie Earle will join the Timbers broadcast team for Wednesday's match against Chivas USA. A former Jamaica international with experience in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Earle joined the Timbers broadcast team for the club's inaugural MLS season in 2011 alongside play-by-play broadcaster John Strong.

Broadcast changed to KPDX for Wednesday's match at Chivas USA

The Timbers broadcast of Wednesday's match against Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., will be shown on KPDX. The match was originally scheduled to air on KPTV FOX 12.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts nominated for MLS Save of the Week

Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts in nominated for MLS Save of the Week for Week 12 of the season. Ricketts' sliding, one-handed save on New York forward Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 49th minute of Saturday's 2-1 win is one of five nominees up for MLS Save of the Week.

Voting runs until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday. Click here to cast your vote and see all the nominees.

CONCACAF Champions League draw announced on Wednesday

The Timbers will learn their group stage opponents in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League tournament on Wednesday night during the CONCACAF Champions League draw in Miami.

Making their first-ever appearance in an international club competition, the Timbers qualified for the tournament by virtue of finishing with the best overall record from the conference opposite the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield winner. Along with Portland, MLS Cup-champion Sporting Kansas City, U.S. Open Cup-champion D.C. United and Supporters' Shield-winner New York Red Bulls represent the four U.S.-based MLS clubs in the competition.

Join the Timbers official viewing party Wednesday at Prost!

Fans are invited to attend the club's official viewing party to watch Wednesday's matchup against Chivas USA at Prost! (4237 N Mississippi Ave.) in Portland; kickoff for the game is 7:30 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.

808 Grinds 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 a Hawaiian favorite, 808 Grinds.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food-cart culture. In addition to 808 Grinds, Nong's Khao Man Gai, Stumptown Dumplings 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 learn potential fourth-round schedule for U.S. Open Cup

U.S. Soccer announced the possible pairings, dates and times for the fourth round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Timbers will either play host to Orlando City U23s (Premier Development League) at Providence Park on Tuesday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. (PT), or travel to face the Charleston Battery (USL PRO) on Wednesday, June 18, at 4:30 p.m. (PT).

The Timbers will take on the winner of the third-round match between Charleston and Orlando City U23s that takes place Wednesday at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston.

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.

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 Aug. 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 award $52,500 in community fund grants

The Timbers recently announced the awarding of $52,500 in grants to 12 family, youth and environment-focused nonprofit organizations throughout the greater-Portland area through the Portland Timbers Community Fund (PTCF). The recipients were selected by the Portland Timbers Community Fund Advisory Board.

The Portland Timbers Community Fund presented grants to Bradley Angle, Camp Fire Columbia, Columbia River Keeper, The FIT Project, The Forest Park Conservancy, Impact NW, Momentum Alliance, Open Meadow, PAST&E, Portland Parks Foundation, The Right Brain Initiative and Saturday Academy.

The PTCF, an advised fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, supports charitable, nonprofit organizations that are registered as a 501(c)(3), with a tax-exempt status from the IRS and are located within one of the four surrounding counties of the Portland metro area: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark County in Southwest Washington. The PTCF Advisory Board consists of partners adidas, Alaska Airlines, Providence Health & Services, Burgerville and PGE. Grant-seeking organizations must fall under one of the following areas of focus: youth education, youth sports, youth health and fitness, environmental awareness and activism with youth and families.

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 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 on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific), instead of its originally scheduled Wednesday evening time 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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