The Portland Timbers continue their road stretch this afternoon at FC Tampa Bay Rowdies at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). Listen to the match on 95.5 The Game or watch it live online at www.portlandtimbers.com/live. Follow updates on Twitter.
Click here for tonight's match notes.
Tonight's Starters:
POR:
GK Sattler, D Tatters, D Valentin, D Valentino, D Donoho, M Diaz, M Gyorio, M Yates, M Tan, M Sanchez, F King
TBR:
GK Cronin, D Keel, D Joy, D Smith, D Purdy, D Hanso, M Gaudet, M Marcelin, M Nimo, M Pore, F Dike
Match Preview:
The Portland Timbers resume their extended road stretch as they continue a season-long, three-game road trip against FC Tampa Bay Rowdies at George M Steinbrenner Field. Portland is in the middle of a span of four road games in 13 days.
The Timbers had a season-long, five-game unbeaten streak come to an end earlier this week with a 3-0 loss to AC St. Louis on Wednesday. Forward Mike Ambersley tallied all three goals for AC St. Louis to hand the Timbers their first loss since June 17. Portland had not allowed three goals in a league loss in two seasons (June 7, 2008 - 3-1 Loss @ Vancouver), and was held scoreless for the sixth time this season.
Despite the loss, the Timbers remain tied for third in the USL Conference of the USSF Division-2 Pro League with the NSC Minnesota Stars at 26pts. The Austin Aztex own the top spot in the conference and the league with 35pts.
Portland and FC Tampa Bay meet for the second and final time during the regular season tonight. In their previous encounter, the Timbers received a game-winning goal from forward Bright Dike in the 73rd minute to secure a 1-0 win on June 27 at PGE Park. Portland out-shot FC Tampa Bay 21-8 in the contest. The win over the Rowdies started Portland's recent five-game unbeaten streak.
While now different franchises, history between Timbers and Rowdies teams date back to the 1970s when both were members of the North American Soccer League. Perhaps the most notable Portland and Tampa Bay matchup was in the '75 Soccer Bowl - the league's championship match.
Even with the three goals conceded on Wednesday, the Timbers rank second in the league in fewest goals allowed (14). Until the loss to AC St. Louis, Portland's backline had allowed just one goal in its previous five matches.
The Timbers wrap their three-game road trip on Wednesday, Aug. 4 , in New York as they close the regular-season series against the Rochester Rhinos; kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
