PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers U-23s open defense of their Premier Development League (PDL) championship on Friday, May 6, as they play host to Victoria Highlanders FC, it was announced today as United Soccer Leagues announced the 2011 PDL regular-season schedule.
The Timbers U-23s, the development team for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, will play a 16-game, regular-season schedule against Northwest Division opponents. In addition to the Timbers U-23s, the division features seven other teams from Washington and British Columbia.
Highlighting the Timbers U-23s’ home schedule are the second-annual Health & Fitness School Days, presented by Providence Health & Services, at PGE Park. The Timbers U-23s will play host to North Sound SeaWolves FC and rival the Kitsap Pumas in special day games on Wednesday, May 25, and Friday, June 3, respectively. Featuring a host of activities, including a pre-game assembly, the school-day matches will kick off at 11 a.m.
Led by 2010 PDL Coach of the Year Jim Rilatt, the Timbers U-23s’ will split their 2011 home schedule between PGE Park and other venues throughout the greater-Portland area; ticket information will be announced at a later date.
In addition to playing each team in its division once at home and once on the road, Portland will face both the Washington Crossfire and Tacoma Tide for a third time during the season. The Timbers U-23s wrap up the regular season on Friday, July 22, on the road against North Sound.
The Timbers U-23s will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The team’s first matchups of the season against Washington (May 15), Kitsap (May 21), North Sound (May 25) and Tacoma (May 29) will all double as qualification matches.
Click here to view the Timbers U-23s' 2011 regular-season schedule.
