MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on April 2, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers return home to face FC Dallas Saturday at Providence Park

PORTLAND, Ore. - After a stretch of two straight road games, the Portland Timbers return to the Rose City to take on FC Dallas at Providence Park on Saturday; kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match, presented by Daimler, will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on La GranD 93.5 FM .

Portland (0-1-3, 3pts) enters Saturday's match unbeaten in its last six matches at Providence Park (3-0-3), dating back to the final four home contests of the 2014 regular season. During that stretch, the Timbers have outscored their opponents 11-5, posting four shutouts, while having surrendered just two goals in their last five home matches. Kicking off the 2015 season presented by Simple, Portland kept two dangerous strikers in Real Salt Lake's Alvaro Saborio and LA Galaxy's Robbie Keane off the score sheet in consecutive draws (March 7-15) in the Rose City.

Playing the second of back-to-back road matches, the Timbers logged 2015 MLS season-high marks in possession (66 percent), passing accuracy (88 percent) and passing accuracy in the attacking third (77 percent) in their last match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 28 at BC Place in Vancouver. Forward Fanendo Adi tallied a late equalizer, netting his third goal in four games, in the 82nd minute to level the score before Vancouver substitute forward Robert Earnshaw scored the eventual game-winning goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

The Timbers are unbeaten in five straight homes games (3-0-2) against FC Dallas, dating back to Portland's fifth-ever MLS match on April 17, 2011. Portland has scored multiple goals in each of its last two regular-season matches against FC Dallas, including a 2-0 win in the most recent meeting in Frisco, Texas, on Oct. 25, 2014. The Timbers have lost just one match in their last seven regular-season meetings with FC Dallas (3-1-3).

FC Dallas (3-0-1, 10pts) enters Saturday's match following a scoreless draw with Seattle Sounders FC on March 28 at Toyota Stadium, snapping the team's three-game winning streak to start the season. Led by forward Blas Pérez's three goals this season, FC Dallas comes to the Rose City tied for the league lead with six goals, while conceding just once in four matches.

Following Saturday's match, the Timbers play host to MLS expansion side Orlando City SC on Sunday, April 12, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific). The match against Orlando City SC will feature a national broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (Spanish) with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on LaGranD 95.3 FM.

TEAM NEWS

#NatsBeard Photobomb presented by Daimler

Fans can pick up a #NatsBeard cutout on Saturday at Providence Park. Then, post your best #NatsBeard photobombs, with the hashtag #NatsBeard, to Twitter and Instagram by May 4 for a chance to win one of several prizes. Timbers defender Nat Borchers, the contest's namesake, will pick his personal favorite, and the winner will receive an ultimate Timbers fan experience with Borchers after an upcoming home game, courtesy of Daimler Trucks North America.

One grand-prize winner will receive a jersey autographed by Borchers, four tickets and pre-game VIP experiences and four passes to meet Borchers after the match. The winning photo will also be featured in the stadium. Two additional winners will also receive a Timbers jersey signed by Borchers.

808 Grinds to be featured food cart Saturday at Providence Park

As part of the match-day experience at Providence Park, fans can enjoy food from some of Portland's most popular food carts through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA). Featured on Saturday at Providence Park will be 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, Big-Ass Sandwiches and Nong's Khao Man Gai also will be featured at Providence Park in 2015 at both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home games. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/ptfca-members .

Kharlton Belmar selected to USL Team of the Week

T2 forward Kharlton Belmar has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 2 after his two-goal performance against Real Monarchs SLC on March 29 at Merlo Field. Belmar tallied a brace, including the club's first-ever goal, on the way to helping T2 defeat Real Monarchs 3-1.

Click here to see the full USL Team of the Week.

Academy Update: Timbers Academy U-16s conclude play at Generation adidas Cup Saturday

The Timbers U-16s concluded play in Group D of the 2014-15 Generation adidas Cup Premier Division on Wednesday, ending the group stage with a 1-2-0 (3pts) record. The Timbers U-16s opened with a 3-1 loss against Colombian side Independiente Medellin U-16s on March 29. Midfielder Blake Bodily (Eagle, Idaho) tallied a goal in the 46th minute, curling a corner kick directly inside the far post. The Timbers U-16s defeated the New England Revolution U-16s in a 1-0 shutout with forward Jose Perez (McMinnville, Ore.) tallying the game-winning goal. Portland concluded group play on Wednesday with a 2-0 loss against the Colorado Rapids U-16s.

Following group play, the Timbers U-16s headed to the knockout/placement games, squaring off against D.C. United U-16s on Thursday. Following a scoreless draw, the Timbers U-16s lost 6-5 in a penalty shootout. The Timbers U-16s conclude the competition with a final placement game against the Chicago Fire U-16s on Saturday; kickoff is scheduled for 8 a.m. (Pacific).

The Timbers Academy teams continue league play the weekend of April 18-19, traveling to face off against Real Salt Lake AZ on Saturday, April 18; the Timbers U-18s kick off at 10 a.m. (Pacific), with the U-16s following at 12:30 p.m. On Sunday, April 19, the Timbers Academy sides square off against FC Golden State; the U-18s are set to play at 10 a.m. and the U-16s are scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

T2, Thorns FC single-game tickets now on sale

Single-game tickets for the inaugural USL season for T2 at Merlo Field and Thorns FC 2015 National Women's Soccer League matches are now on sale to the public.

T2 tickets, starting at $10, are on sale for the team's regular-season home matches by calling (888) 736-6849 and online here . In addition, fans also are able to purchase tickets at the Providence Park box office. The Providence Park box office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Group opportunities for T2 matches are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com . T2 season tickets, starting at $8 per game, are available at www.timbers2.com or by calling (503) 553-5555, with limited spots still available in the 1975 Trust.

Thorns FC single-game tickets for 2015 NWSL home matches at Providence Park, starting at $13, are available by calling (888) 736-6849 or online here . In addition, fans also are able to purchase tickets at the Providence Park box office.

Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com . Additional group information can be found at www.timbers.com/thornsfc/thorns-group-outings .

Timbers, AC Portland return 50/50 raffle, fundraiser for a third season in 2015

A resounding success in its first two years, the Timbers, Portland Thorns FC 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 2015, 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 2015 KeyBank LTFC

All Timbers and Thorns FC fans 12-years-old or younger are encouraged to be part of the 2015 KeyBank LTFC. A $30 membership gets you an exclusive 2015 KeyBank LTFC Timbers/Thorns scarf, four free Thorns FC flex tickets, four T2 flex tickets, four general admission tickets to the T2 match against Sacramento Republic on Sept. 12 at Providence Park, 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", presented by Oregon Lottery and hosted by Jake Zivin and Ross Smith, will offer inside access to 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" 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 beginning at 6 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 April 2, 2015


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