MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on July 8, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers square off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC twice in five-day span

PORTLAND, Ore. - Unbeaten in six consecutive road games across all competitions, the Portland Timbers travel to square off against Pacific Northwest-rival Seattle Sounders FC twice in a span of five days, beginning Wednesday with a 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.; kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Wednesday's Open Cup match will be streamed live on www.timbers.com as U.S. Soccer's "Game of the Round."

Reaching the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year, the Timbers are set to play their second straight road game of the competition after previously defeating Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, in a fifth-round match on June 24 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Midfielder GastÃ"n Fernández has registered consecutive braces in the U.S. Open Cup, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over PDL side Orlando City U23s on June 17 at Providence Park and netting two more goals against Sporting Kansas City. Fernández is tied for the overall goal-scoring lead (4) in the tournament.

A top rivalry in North American soccer, the Pacific Northwest derby between the Timbers and the Sounders dates back nearly 40 years to the 1975 North American Soccer League (NASL) season - Portland's first year as a professional club. There is history in the U.S. Open Cup as well, as Wednesday's match marks the fifth all-time meeting between the clubs in the tournament's history.

Portland and Seattle first squared off in U.S. Open Cup play in 2005 as second-division sides with Portland earning a 2-0 victory at home. The sides met again during the tournament in 2007, 2009 and 2010, while Wednesday's match marks the first-ever U.S. Open Cup meeting between Portland and Seattle during the MLS era for both clubs.

In league play, the Timbers have struck a recent run of good form against their rivals, going unbeaten in four consecutive matches in all competitions, dating back to the 2013 season. Portland has compiled a 3-1-2 record against Seattle since the start of the 2013 season, including home and away wins in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Portland (4-5-9, 21pts) meets Seattle on Sunday in a nationally televised match at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest derby will be broadcast live on ESPN2 with a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Sunday's match marks the second of three regular-season meetings between the Timbers and Sounders FC. Portland and Seattle played to a 4-4 draw in a high-scoring affair on April 5 at Providence Park as midfielder Diego Chara netted a brace for the Timbers.

The Timbers are unbeaten in five consecutive regular-season road matches, dating back to April 27, and have earned at least one point in nine of their last 11 matches. Portland has registered two or more goals in four consecutive road games and enters the weekend second overall in the league with 30 goals scored. The Timbers rank second in both shots (247) and shots on goal (91) through 18 regular-season matches, while midfielder Diego Valeri is tied for the league lead with eight assists.

Sounders FC (11-4-2, 35pts) are currently in first place in the Western Conference and lead the MLS Supporters' Shield standings through 17 regular-season matches. Winners of three straight U.S. Open Cup tournaments in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Seattle reached the cup final in 2012 before losing in penalty kicks to Sporting Kansas City. In league play, head coach Sigi Schmid's side is coming off a 1-0 loss against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday at BC Place in Vancouver. Sounders FC have won nine of their last 13 regular-season matches while forward Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey are tied for the team lead with eight goals apiece. Martins has added six assists.

Following consecutive matches against Seattle, the Timbers return to the Rose City to play host to the Colorado Rapids on Friday, July 18, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific) and the match will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts nominated for MLS Save of the Week

Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is nominated for MLS Save of the Week in Week 17 of the regular season after a leaping stop on a free kick from LA Galaxy midfielder Juninho in the 77th minute of a 2-2 draw between the Timbers and Galaxy on July 4 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Voting runs until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday.

Midfielder Diego Valeri nominated for MLS Goal of the Week

Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri is nominated for MLS Goal of the Week in Week 17 of the regular season. Valeri's hard, low volley through traffic from the top of the penalty box in the 67th minute proved to be a vital goal in helping the Timbers to a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy on July 4 at the StubHub Center.

Voting runs until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday.

Join the Timbers official viewing party Sunday at Paddy's

Fans are invited to attend the club's official viewing party to watch Sunday's matchup against Seattle Sounders FC at Paddy's (65 SW Yamhill St., Portland); kickoff for the game is 7 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.

U.S. Open Cup potential semifinal round pairings announced

Should the Timbers advance to the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament for a second straight year, Portland would play host to the winner of Wednesday's match between the Chicago Fire and NASL side Atlanta Silverbacks on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Providence Park. Kickoff for the match would be scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The Timbers reached the semifinals in 2013, making their deepest-ever run in the U.S. Open Cup.

Timbers begin CONCACAF Champions League group-phase schedule on the road Aug. 19

The Timbers will begin play in Group 5 of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League tournament on the road against Guyanese side Alpha United FC on Tuesday, Aug. 19, it was announced recently as CONCACAF unveiled the competition's full group-stage schedule.

Following a tournament-opening road match, Portland will play host to home games against Honduran side Club Deportivo Olimpia on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and Alpha United FC on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Providence Park. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Portland concludes play in Group 5 with a trip to face CD Olimpia on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Tickets for Portland's home match against CD Olimpia on Sept. 16 will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, July 9, online at www.timbers.com and at the Providence Park box office. A special presale for Timbers season-ticket holders, members of the season-ticket waitlist and Thorns FC season-ticket holders will take place July 7-8. In addition, ticket information for the Sept. 23 match against Alpha United FC will be announced at a later date.

Take part in the CenturyLink #HarringtonPhotoBomb contest

Fans now have the chance to create their best #HarringtonPhotoBomb for the opportunity to win an ultimate Timbers fan experience, presented by CenturyLink.

Using one of CenturyLink's special Michael Harrington cutouts that were distributed at the June 27 match against Sporting Kansas City, entrants must submit their best photobombs on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HarringtonPhotoBomb through July 31.

Following the competition, Harrington will choose his favorite photobomb as the winner. The contest winner will receive four (4) tickets to Portland's match against Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park on Sept. 20, pregame VIP passes and a meet-and-greet with Harrington after the match. Two additional winners will receive a Timbers jersey signed by Harrington.

Timbers on loan: Three players start in victory for USL PRO co-affiliate Sacramento Republic FC

Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, midfielder George Fochive and defender Alvas Powell all earned starts to help lead USL PRO co-affiliate Sacramento Republic FC to a 2-1 win over Orange County Blues FC on Monday night. Gleeson, who made two saves, and Fochive each played 90 minutes, while Powell logged 61 minutes for Sacramento.

On July 4, forward Schillo Tshuma started and played 64 minutes for USL PRO side Arizona United SC in a 4-2 loss against LA Galaxy II at the StubHub Center.

Timbers U-23s prepare for final two matches of 2014 PDL regular season

Following a 1-1 draw against Lane United FC at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Ore., on July 1, the Timbers U-23s have a week off before the conclusion of the 2014 Premier Development League (PDL) season.

Portland (4-4-4, 16pts) is unbeaten in five consecutive matches and sits in fourth place in the Northwest Division standings, just six points off of first place.

The Timbers U-23s travel to face Lane United FC on Friday at the Willamalane Center in Eugene, Ore.; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). Three days later, Portland plays host to the Washington Crossfire in their final regular-season match on Monday, July 14, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.; kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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" 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 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.timbers.com/timbers-podcast-network.

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 8, 2014


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