The Portland Timbers begin a three-game road trip tonight as they take on AC St. Louis at 5:10 p.m. (Pacific). Listen to tonight's match on Sportsradio 95.5 The Game with guest broadcaster Mike Frazer, watch it online at www.portlandtimbers.com/live or follow updates on Twitter.
Click here for tonight's match notes.
Tonight's Starters:
POR: GK Cronin, D Cameron, D Keel, D Danso, D Purdy, M McManus, M Nimo, M Pore, M Gaudet, F Dike, F Josten
STL: GK Dufty, D Traynor, D Schuler, D Bauer, D Bloom, M Kreamalmeyer, M Cole, M Velten, M Stisser, F Ambersley, F Crosgriff
Match Preview:
The Portland Timbers continue their extended stretch on the road tonight as they open a three-game road trip with a tilt against AC St. Louis. Tonight’s match marks the first of two visits to Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park for the Timbers over a three-week period.
Entering tonight’s match, the Timbers are on a season-long, five-game unbeaten streak in league play. Portland has won four of its last five matches during its current unbeaten run. Overall, the Timbers are 6-2-1 in their last eight matches, including exhibition and U.S. Open Cup contests.
In its last match, Portland defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on the road July 22 to claim its first win in Vancouver since 2004 and secure the fan-based Cascadia Cup for a second straight season. Midfielder
Ryan Pore
scored his league-leading 11th goal of the season and defender
Mamado Danso
tallied the game-winner to help the club to its fourth win in five games.
The Timbers backline has shut out four of its last five opponents and continues to lead the USSF Division-2 Pro League in fewest goals allowed (11). The Timbers share third place in the USL Conference with the NSC Minnesota Stars at 26 points.
The Timbers visit AC St. Louis at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park for the first time this season. Portland is 1-0-1 against AC St. Louis in 2010; the first two matchups were played at PGE Park. On April 22, Pore recorded two goals and an assist to lead the Timbers to a 3-0 win over AC St. Louis. In the second encounter between the two clubs, AC St. Louis forward Mike Ambersley tallied the equalizer in second-half stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw. AC St. Louis will play host to the Timbers in the final game of the regular-season series between the two sides Aug. 14.
Portland continues its road trip with a matchup against FC Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida on Saturday before heading to New York to take on the Rochester Rhinos on Wednesday, Aug. 4.
