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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

July 17, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers play host to Colorado Rapids in nationally televised match on Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. - Returning to the Rose City following three consecutive road matches in all competitions, the Portland Timbers play host to the Colorado Rapids in a nationally televised match on Friday at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific).

Friday's match, presented by Daimler, marks Portland's first regular-season home game since June 27 and will be broadcast live nationally on NBC Sports Network with a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game.

The Timbers (4-6-9, 21pts) have lost just three times at Providence Park since the start of the 2013 season, compiling a mark of 12-3-12 in the last 27 regular-season home matches - a mark that is tied for the fewest home losses along with the LA Galaxy since the start of last season.

Portland has fared well against the Rapids at home, earning a 3-1-0 mark against Colorado since 2011. The Timbers have registered three consecutive clean sheets against the Rapids at Providence Park, including a pair of shutouts during the 2013 season - outscoring Colorado, 4-0. In four all-time home matches against Colorado, Portland has recorded a 5-1 advantage in goals scored.

Entering Friday's match, the Timbers rank tied for fourth in the league in goals (30), while also coming in tied for third in total shots (256) and shots on goal (94). Individually, midfielder Diego Valeri is tied for second in MLS with eight assists and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts ranks second overall with 62 saves. Ricketts set the Timbers MLS single-game record with eight saves in a 2-0 setback against Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

The Timbers come into Friday's match following a stretch of three games in 10 days from July 4-13, which included back-to-back matches against Cascadia-rival Sounders FC in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals and regular-season play.

Colorado (7-5-6, 27pts) currently sits tied for third in the Western Conference standings and recently earned a share of the points in a come-from-behind, 3-3 draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union on July 12 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. After Philadelphia was reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute following a straight red card to midfielder Michael Lahoud, the Rapids capitalized by netting a goal on a penalty kick in the 79th minute and finding the equalizer in the 86th minute. Midfielder Dillon Powers logged a goal and an assist in the match and currently leads the team with 13 points (4g, 5a). Forward Deshorn Brown is tied for the team lead with six goals along with forward Vicente Sánchez. Goalkeeper Clint Irwin has played 14 of the team's 18 matches this season, logging a 1.29 goals-against average and a 6-4-4 record.

The Rapids, who have lost just one match in their last seven and are unbeaten in four consecutive games, will be without three regular starters on Friday as Sánchez, midfielder Nick LaBrocca and defender Shane O'Neill will miss the match due to league-imposed suspensions.

Following Friday night's match, the Timbers head back onto the road to face the Montreal Impact on Sunday, July 27, at Stade Saputo; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific). The match against Montreal will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750 The Game.

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts nominated for MLS Save of the Week

One week after winning MLS Save of the Week in Week 17, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is again nominated for the award for Week 18 of the regular season - this time for a quick-reaction double save on Seattle Sounders FC forwards Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins.

Following a corner kick in the 71st minute of Sunday's match against Seattle, Ricketts denied the initial shot from Dempsey with a kick save at the left post and stymied the rebound from Martins while still lying on the ground.

Voting runs until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific). Click here to see the rest of the nominees and to submit your vote.

808 Grinds to be featured food cart Friday 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 Friday at Providence Park will be 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.

Roster announced for Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game

Major League Soccer recently announced the roster for the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game on Aug. 4 at Providence Park.

The match, which will take place at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Aug. 4, and will be streamed live on WatchESPN and MLSsoccer.com, will feature a group of 20 of the top MLS Homegrown players facing the Portland Timbers U-23s at Providence Park. Fans can secure free tickets to the game by clicking here. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and quantities are limited.

Among the 20 players named to the roster was Timbers midfielder Steven Evans.

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 are on sale now, online at www.timbers.com and at the Providence Park box office. 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 last Friday's 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: Gleeson helps lead Sacramento Republic FC to win against Charlotte

Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, playing on loan with USL PRO co-affiliate Sacramento Republic FC, made three saves and kept a clean sheet as Republic FC earned a 1-0 win over the Charlotte Eagles on Monday in USL PRO regular-season action. Gleeson ranks fourth among goalkeepers in USL PRO with six wins this season. Sacramento plays host to current league leaders Orlando City tonight at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Bonney Field in Sacramento. Click here to watch the live webstream.

On loan with Arizona United SC of USL PRO, rookie forward Schillo Tshuma registered his first professional point, tallying an assist in a 2-1 win over Orange County Blues FC on Saturday. Tshuma started and played 63 minutes in the win. Arizona travels to face OKC Energy FC tonight at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Click here to watch the live webstream.

Timbers U-23s conclude 2014 regular-season schedule

The Portland Timbers U-23s concluded regular-season play with a 1-1 draw against the Washington Crossfire on Monday night at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. Midfielder Foster Langsdorf, a member of the Timbers U-18 Academy team, tallied the lone goal for Portland as the Timbers U-23s ended the season on a seven-match unbeaten streak (4-0-3).

Portland (5-4-5, 20pts) finished the 2014 season in fourth place in the Northwest Division. Forward Kharlton Belmar ended the season as the team's leader in goals (8), while defender Hudson Rhoads added four assists.

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. Due to the Timbers playing on Friday against Colorado, there will be no episode this week.

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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Major League Soccer Stories from July 17, 2014


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