PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers will face off against the Charleston Battery in Charleston, SC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday, July 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific).
The U.S. Open Cup is a national tournament that pits qualified amateur and professional clubs against each other in a single-elimination format. It is one of the oldest soccer tournaments in the world, dating back to 1914. The winner of the Cup qualifies to compete against other cup winners from neighboring countries.
The Timbers have participated in the U.S. Open Cup in each of the last two seasons, advancing to the third round in 2004, and the fourth round in 2005. Both years, the Timbers were eliminated by the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Charleston, which participates in the USL First Division along with the Timbers, has played in the tournament each year since 1999. The Battery advanced to the semi-finals in both 1999 and 2004 before being eliminated by MLS clubs.
After the U.S. Open Cup match, the teams will square off again in Charleston on July 14th at 4 p.m. in a USL First Division match at Blackbaud Stadium.
This Saturday, the Timbers host a special exhibition against Coventry City FC of the English Coca-Cola Championship on July 8 at PGE Park. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (503) 224-4400 or online at www.pgepark.com.
