The Portland Timbers U-23s play host to La Maquina in the first round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 11, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
This will be the U-23s fourth U.S. Open Cup appearance since 2012. In 2014, Portland reached the second round of the tournament before falling to USL side Arizona United SC on May 13. In 2013, the U-23s defeated Sacramento Gold in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup before bowing out of the second round against the Charleston Battery on May 21.
La Maquina, appearing in their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match, is a United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) side based in Southern California. During the 2014-15 UPSL season, La Maquina finished top of the Southeast Conference with a record of 18-1-0 highlighted by a 4-0 win over Chula Vista FC in a 2016 U.S. Open Cup qualifying match.
In their last match, the Timbers U-23s surrendered an early goal and were unable to mount a comeback, falling 1-0 to Lane United FC in the opening match of their 2016 Premier Development League (PDL) at Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation Park on May 7.
Head coach Jim Rilatt and his staff lead a group of 11 returning players and 21 new additions. The U-23s return several key players for the 2016 season, including goalkeeper Collin Partee; defenders Niko De Vera, Ben White, Noah Gaines; and midfielders Ivan Alvarado, Reid Baez, Geoffrey Dee, Edson Martinez, Sam Werner, Foster Langsdorf; and forward Anthony Macchione.
Tickets for Wednesday night's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match can be purchased by clicking here.
