MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Weekly Update

Published on May 17, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers will play at Providence Park for a second straight match this weekend when the team plays host to expansion club Los Angeles FC on Saturday, May 19. Beginning at 12 noon (Pacific), Saturday's match will be televised nationally on FOX with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Recent form

Heading into Saturday's match, the Timbers (4-3-2, 14pts) have recorded four straight wins in league play, including three consecutive clean-sheet victories. Most recently, the Timbers produced a 1-0 home win over Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on May 13, with midfielder Sebastián Blanco scoring the game-winning goal for Portland. With the win, the Timbers matched a club record for consecutive MLS regular-season wins, previously winning four straight league games during the 2015 season (May 27-June 20, 2015). Additionally, the win signified the first time Portland has recorded three straight clean-sheet victories in MLS play. Dating back to the start of the 2015 MLS campaign, Portland is tied for the fourth-most clean sheets in MLS (29).

Home form

Heading into Saturday's match, the Timbers are currently tied for the second-longest home winning streak in MLS history, with nine straight wins at Providence Park dating back to Aug. 6, 2017. Only the San Jose Earthquakes have won more consecutive games at home in MLS play than the Timbers, with the Western Conference side winning 12 straight home games from Aug. 25, 2001-July 24, 2002. Additionally, despite playing their first five games of the 2018 campaign away from home, the Timbers still maintain one of the strongest home records in the league since 2016. During that stretch, Portland has recorded 26 wins (26-5-6) at home, which ranks tied as the most in the league with the New York Red Bulls.

Scouting LAFC

LAFC (6-2-2, 20pts) enters Saturday's game after completing a four-game unbeaten homestand, producing eight points (2-0-2) in those matches. Most recently, LAFC is coming off a 2-2 draw against New York City FC on May 13. Despite playing its first six games on the road, due to stadium construction, LAFC enters Saturday's match with the most points (20) and goals (22) for an expansion team through its first 10 games to start a season. Forward Carlos Vela leads the team in goals scored (6).

Next match

Following Saturday's match, the Timbers will travel to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, May 26. Beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific), the match against the Rapids will be broadcast live on FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

TEAM NEWS

2018 FIFA World Cup

On Monday, midfielder David Guzmán was named to Costa Rica's 23-man roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, set to be held in Russia this summer beginning on June 14. Costa Rica will be appearing in its fifth World Cup (1990, 2002, 2006, 2014) and its second consecutive appearance after making it to the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Additionally, midfielder Andy Polo was named to Peru's provisional squad on Wednesday. After beating New Zealand in a 2-0 aggregate, inter-continental playoff, Peru qualified for its first World Cup final in 36 years. Peru has now qualified for five World Cups (1930, 1970, 1978, 1982, 2018).

Boke Dokie to serve as featured food cart Saturday at Providence Park

For an eighth consecutive season, fans will be able to enjoy food from some of the most popular food carts around Portland, including Saturday's featured food cart, Boke Dokie, as part of the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA).

The PTFCA is designed to highlight Portland's food-cart culture, with featured food carts Kim Jong Grillin, Boke Dokie, Koi Fusion and 808 Grinds regularly appearing at Providence Park for both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home matches in 2018. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/matchday/ptfca.

Providence Park expansion

Providence Park is currently in the midst of an extensive stadium expansion project that will add approximately 4,000 new seats and a striking new street-level colonnade along the eastern side of the stadium. As a function of the ongoing construction, access to parts of Providence Park will change or be off-limits for parts of the season.

T2 to play host to LA Galaxy II at Providence Park on Friday

This week, T2 return home to play host to LA Galaxy II at Providence Park on Friday, May 18, as part of Providence Health & Fitness Day. Beginning at 11 a.m. (Pacific), the match against LA Galaxy II will be streamed live on ESPN+.

In their most recent match, T2 earned all three points in a 1-0 win over Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC 2 on May 12, with midfielder Eryk Williamson, who was named to the USL Team of the Week bench for Week 9, scoring the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute. With the result, T2 are now 4-1-2 In their last seven games dating back to April 4. Portland also improved to 3-2-2 on the road this season and is now undefeated in its last four away matches (2-0-2). In addition to setting a new team record Saturday with their third straight shutout, T2 have registered five shutouts over their last seven matches.

T2 to play host to FC St. Pauli of Germany's 2. Bundesliga on May 22

T2 will play host to 2. Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli in an international exhibition on Tuesday, May 22, at Providence Park at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

In partnership with the 107 Independent Supporters Trust (107ist), a portion of the proceeds from the match will benefit IRCO. Founded in 1976, IRCO has over 40 years of history and experience working with Portland's refugee and immigrant communities. For more information on IRCO, click here.

Tickets for the friendly against FC St. Pauli, starting at $10, are currently on sale to the public. Fans can purchase tickets online or by phone at (888) 736-6849. Group tickets are available for the match by calling (503) 553-5555.

Academy update: Timbers U17/19 Academy teams produce positive results against Vancouver Whitecaps FC

With the 2017-18 season approaching the finish line, the Portland Timbers U-17 and U-19 Academy teams posted strong results against Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC away from home this past weekend. After conceding an early goal in the eighth minute of play to Whitecaps FC, the Timbers U-17s rebounded strongly in the first half, scoring three goals in a five-minute span heading into the halftime break. Rian Jamai opened the scoring for Portland in the 37th minute of play, before Denis Coteh notched back-to-back goals in the 40th and 42nd minutes, respectively.

Building on the U-17s performance, the U19s also posted a strong result against Vancouver, defeating their rivals 3-0. Forward Wilterlynd Inaelien opened the scoring in the 20th minute and Vitalis Takawira Jr. tallied a brace, scoring in the 28th and 80th minutes.

TEAM MEDIA SOURCES

Television: "Timbers in 30"

Throughout the season, "Timbers in 30," 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. This week, "Timbers in 30" airs on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX 12 Oregon with Timbers forward Samuel Armenteros in studio.

Radio: "Talk Timbers"

The Timbers' weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," 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 also features regular updates on T2 and Portland Thorns FC. This week's guests included assistant coach Carlos Llamosa and Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.

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/news/timbers-podcast-network.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 17, 2018


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