Timbers U-23s return home for two games this week

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s play host to a pair of matches this week, starting with the team’s second-annual Health and Fitness School Day, presented by Providence Health & Services, on Wednesday against the North Sound SeaWolves at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

The Timbers U-23s then play host to the Tacoma Tide on Sunday at Clackamas High School in Clackamas, Ore., at 5 p.m. Tickets for both matches will be available at the door on match day.

Prior to kickoff on Wednesday, Providence will lead an assembly for kids with the help of club mascot Timber Joey and Timbers alumni ambassadors on the importance of proper diet and exercise as part of the Health and Fitness School Day activities. Gates open at 9 a.m. for the special day match and the assembly begins at 10 a.m.

The matches against the SeaWolves and Tide double as the Timbers U-23s’ final two qualification matches for the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Portland has recorded shutouts in each of its last two matches against the Kitsap Pumas and Washington Crossfire. Since allowing a goal in the 2011 season opener on May 7, the Timbers U-23s have not conceded a goal in 215 straight minutes of play.

The Timbers U-23s (1-1-1, 4pts) face Northwest Division newcomer North Sound for the first time Wednesday. The two teams wrap up their 2011 PDL season series on Friday, July 22, at Goddard Memorial Stadium in the Timbers U-23s’ regular-season finale.

Portland and Tacoma (0-0-2, 2pts) open a three-match season series on Sunday. The Timbers U-23s defeated the Tide in both matchups in 2010, including a close 1-0 victory at JELD-WEN Field on a game-winning goal by Bim Ogunyemi. The Timbers U-23s are 4-0-0 all-time against Tacoma.

Unbeaten in its first two PDL matches, the SeaWolves earned a 2-2 road draw against Tacoma in their last match on May 13. Both Abduwali Aman and Vinicius Oliviera recorded a goal and an assist to lead North Sound to a point on the road. Capping off a two-game week, the SeaWolves return home to play host to Kitsap on Sunday.

When Tacoma visits Portland on Sunday, it will be playing its third game in seven days. The Tide – on a two-game unbeaten streak – opened the week Monday with a 2-2 draw against the Crossfire, using two goals from Chris Sanders in the final nine minutes of the match. The Tide play host to the Pumas on Friday before heading to Oregon.