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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

May 26, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


Timbers face busy week with home match Wednesday against D.C. United, road game Saturday at Colorado

PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a three-game road swing, the Portland Timbers return to the Rose City for a midweek home match, taking on D.C. United on Wednesday at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match against D.C. United is Military Appreciation Night at Providence Park and will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on LaGranD 93.5 FM. Just three days later, the Timbers hit the road to square off against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, May 30, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific).

Portland (3-5-4, 13pts) faces Eastern Conference foe D.C. United (6-2-4, 22pts) for just the sixth time in the all-time MLS series on Wednesday at Providence Park. The Timbers are unbeaten in eight of their last nine regular-season matches (3-1-5) at Providence Park, dating back to the 2014 campaign. Wednesday's match marks the fourth time D.C. United will travel to the Rose City since 2011. Portland has compiled a 1-1-1 record in three meetings all-time at Providence Park, including a 3-2 victory last season on May 3, 2014. The Timbers have scored six goals in three previous home matches against D.C. United and have registered a four-game unbeaten streak against the Eastern Conference side since sustaining a loss in the teams' first-ever meeting on May 29, 2011.

Despite a strong second-half performance in a 1-0 loss against Toronto FC on May 23 at BMO Field, the Timbers enter Wednesday's match following consecutive losses for just the third time since the start of the 2013 season. Portland has registered a 9-3-6 overall record immediately following a loss since 2013, including wins this season against FC Dallas and New York City FC. At Providence Park, the Timbers have registered a 1-1-3 overall record during the 2015 season and rank among the top teams in MLS with a 17-5-17 home record over the last two-plus seasons.

D.C. United enters Wednesday's match in first place in the Eastern Conference standings through 12 games and is coming off a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution that saw the Revolution reduced to nine men for the final 32 minutes after defender Chris Tierney (52nd minute) and midfielder Lee Nguyen (58) were issued red cards. Forward Jairo Arrieta scored the equalizer for D.C. United in the 80th minute. Arrieta and forward Chris Rolfe lead D.C. United with three goals each, while goalkeeper Bill Hamid has started all 12 matches, recording 36 saves and four clean sheets.

Following Wednesday's match, the Timbers head back out on the road to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, May 30, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific). The match against the Rapids will be broadcast live on KPDX with a local radio broadcast on 750/102.9 The Game and in Spanish on LaGranD 93.5 FM.

Saturday's road match against Colorado marks the first meeting of the season between the two Western Conference sides. The Rapids (2-2-7, 13pts) enter Saturday's match following a road game against Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The Timbers have logged a 4-5-2 overall record against Colorado since 2011, including a mark of 1-1-1 during the 2014 season.

TEAM NEWS

Bunk Sandwiches to feature at Providence Park for Timbers, Thorns FC matches

Well-known Portland sandwich shop, Bunk Sandwiches, will serve a variety of sandwiches at all Timbers and Thorns FC home games beginning Wednesday at Providence Park.

Bunk Sandwiches will be located at Axe Stand 1 near section 99 and will feature the Pork Belly Cubano, Muffaletta, Pulled Pork Hot Dog and Grilled Cheese sandwiches along with select sides and beverage options.

Big-Ass Sandwiches to be featured food cart Wednesday 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 Wednesday at Providence Park will be Big-Ass Sandwiches.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food-cart culture. In addition to Big-Ass Sandwiches, 808 Grinds, Nong's Khao Man Gai and Pok Pok 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.

Timbers, Sounders FC to square off in fourth round of 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The Timbers will travel to face Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC in the fourth round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 16, at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

For the second year in a row, the Timbers and Sounders FC will face each other in the U.S. Open Cup at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. In the 2014 tournament, the Timbers sent the match to extra time, but sustained a 3-1 loss on the road in the quarterfinals against Seattle. Portland made its deepest run in the tournament in 2013, reaching the semifinals.

Timbers, T2, Thorns FC team up with local partners to present fourth-annual Stand Together Week June 8-14

With the help of local community partners and the city of Portland, the Portland Timbers, T2 and Portland Thorns FC will present their fourth-annual Stand Together Week from June 8-14. 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 35 volunteer projects, benefitting more than 30 organizations focused on youth and the environment across the Portland metro area. Fans are invited to volunteer and team up with mascot Timber Joey, select Timbers, T2 and Thorns FC players and club staff on the various projects.

Supported by Presenting Partners adidas, Alaska Airlines, Coca-Cola, Cricket Wireless, Daimler Trucks North America, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, KPTV FOX 12, Providence Health Plan, Simple, and University of Portland, Stand Together Week kicks off Monday, June 8, helping the Portland Police Bureau's Sunshine Division sort food for local families in need. Each project will engage fans and community members and have a meaningful impact on the community. The volunteer opportunities affiliated with Stand Together Week, named after the Timbers' community outreach platform, Stand Together, range from outdoor park/garden maintenance to construction projects and assisting in special youth and community initiatives. A complete schedule of activities and events is listed below.

Since 2012, Stand Together Week participants donated 7,012 hours of service at more than 100 events benefitting youth and the environment in the greater-Portland area. Nonprofits served include PlayWorks!, Growing Gardens, AC Portland and the Community Cycling Center, among many others.

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.timbers.com/standtogetherweek.

Timbers, Thorns FC form partnership with Idaho Youth Soccer Association

The Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC have formed a partnership with the Idaho Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), it was announced recently. Through the partnership, the Timbers and Thorns FC will collaborate with IYSA on the Idaho Pre-Academy/Olympic Development Program (ODP) on both the boys and girls sides, providing guidance and a common vision to develop a similar model to what the Timbers and Thorns FC have created with the Pre-Academy/ODP program in Oregon.

Additionally as an aspect of the partnership, the Timbers and Thorns FC will explore creating alliances with local youth clubs in the state to start the pathway toward instilling the organization's goals and vision, while providing more opportunities for Idaho youth soccer players and preparing them for the potential of joining the Timbers and Thorns FC Academy programs.

T2 to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 in third round of U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday

T2 will travel to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 in the third round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash., on Wednesday, May 27; kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (Pacific).

The U.S. Open Cup match will be the third meeting between the two teams in all competitions this year and the second meeting in a six-day span as Portland also played host to S2 in league play at Merlo Field on May 22.

Advancing to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, T2 registered a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over PDL side Michigan Bucks in the second round of the tournament on Tuesday at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., in their inaugural match in the annual competition.

T2 midfielder/forward Fatawu Safiu named to Ghana U-23 National Team Roster

T2 midfielder/forward Fatawu Safiu was named to the Ghana U-23 National Team roster ahead of a two-leg, second-round series against Congo in the 2015 Confederation of African Football (CAF) U-23 Championship qualifiers.

The Ghana U-23 National Team defeated Congo 1-0 in the first match on May 23 at Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana. Fatawu did not see action for the Black Meteors in the match. The second leg will see Ghana travel to take on Congo on Monday, June 1. The winner of the home-and-away series will move on to face Nigeria in the third round of CAF U-23 Championship qualifying.

Academy Update: Timbers Academy teams close out regular-season schedule Sunday

The Timbers Academy teams close out their regular-season schedules on Sunday, May 31, with a trip to face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy at Simon Fraser University.

The Timbers U-16s (16-8-7, 55pts) are all but guaranteed a berth in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs following a 2-1 win over the Arsenal FC U-16s on May 23. Samuel Buzzas (Bend, Ore.) tallied the game-winning goal in the 80th minute and Carlos Anguiano (Salem, Ore.) scored the game-tying goal for Portland in the 68th minute. The Timbers U-16s followed that with a hard-fought, 2-2 draw against Real So Cal U-16s on May 24. Blake Bodily (Eagle, Idaho) registered a brace, scoring the equalizing goal in the 55th minute. Portland is in second place in the Northwest Division and face Northwest Division-leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16s (19-5-6, 63pts) on Sunday.

The Timbers U-18s (7-21-3, 24pts) shut out the Arsenal FC U-18s 5-0 on May 23 as Peter Prescott (Vancouver, Wash.) registered a hat-trick and Giovanni Rivera (Hood River, Ore.) tallied a brace with a goal in each half. In their second match of the weekend, the Timbers U-18s sustained a 6-0 loss against the Real So Cal U-18s on May 24.

The Timbers U-18s face the Whitecaps FC U-18s on Sunday at Simon Fraser University; kickoff is set for 11 a.m. (Pacific). The Timbers U-16s match against the Whitecaps FC U-16s follows at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Timbers Academy midfielder Yves Rubasha named to Rwanda U-23 National Team Roster

Portland Timbers U-18 Academy midfielder Yves Rubasha was named to the Rwanda U-23 National Team ahead of a two-leg, second-round series against Uganda in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) U-23 Championship qualifiers.

Squaring off against Uganda in a pair of 2015 CAF U-23 Championship qualifying matches, Rwanda dropped the first match 2-1 on May 23 at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The second leg will take place at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday, May 31. The winner of the home-and-away series will move on to face Egypt in the third round of CAF U-23 Championship qualifying.

Timbers U-23s face Kitsap Pumas Friday in Providence Health & Fitness Day match

The Timbers U-23s return home to take on against the Kitsap Pumas in the second Providence Health & Fitness Day match at Providence Park on Friday, May 29; kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (Pacific).

The Timbers U-23s (2-0-0, 6pts) extended their season-opening unbeaten streak to two straight games with a 3-2 win against Washington Crossfire in their first road game of the 2015 PDL season on Tuesday, May 19, at Redmond High School in Redmond, Wash.

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, Ross Smith and Samantha Yarock, 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

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. Due to a Timbers match on Wednesday, May 27, "Talk Timbers" will not air this week. "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 May 26, 2015


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