PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced details of The 2015 Simple Invitational, the team’s annual preseason tournament at Providence Park. Taking place from Feb. 22-28, The Simple Invitational will feature the Timbers, Norwegian Tippeligaen club Stabæk – coached by former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley – Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Chicago Fire.
The Simple Invitational once again will consist of three doubleheaders at Providence Park, with Chicago and Stabæk kicking off the round-robin format on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific). The Timbers’ matchup against Stabæk on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m. (Pacific) will conclude the event’s six-match slate.
Tickets for The Simple Invitational are included in 2015 full-season ticket packages. Individual tickets, which allow entry into both matches each day, start at $13 and go on sale to the general public starting Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 10 a.m. (Pacific) online at www.timbers.com. Full tournament ticket packages for The Simple Invitational, starting at $33, also will be available for purchase online.
Founded in 1912, Stabæk makes its first appearance in The Simple Invitational and marks the third international opponent to compete in the annual preseason tournament following Sweden’s AIK (2012, 2013) and Jamaican side Portmore United (2014). Known as “De Blaa” (The Blue Ones), Stabæk made its Norwegian Tippeligaen debut in 1995, claiming its first-ever Norwegian Cup title in 1998 and its first Tippeligaen championship in 2008. Under Bradley’s direction during his first season with the club in 2014, Stabæk reached the semifinals of the Norwegian Cup, its deepest run in the annual tournament since 2008.
2015 Simple Invitational Schedule
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Chicago Fire vs. Stabæk at 2:30 p.m.; Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Stabæk vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 5 p.m.; Timbers vs. Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Chicago Fire at 2:30 p.m.; Timbers vs. Stabæk at 5 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park
