PORTLAND
, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers are in the midst of a two-week break following their 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico on April 21 and play their next match May 5 against the Seattle Sounders on the road. Kickoff at Qwest Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Timbers are 10-13-3 all-time against the Sounders and were 1-2-1 in 2006. The Sounders (0-1-0, 0pts) fell 1-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 21 at Swangard Stadium and make the long trip to Miami and Puerto Rico this weekend.
MEXICO
’S CLUB NECAXA INVADES PORTLAND MAY 9
The Timbers face Mexico’s Club Necaxa in their next home match on May 9 at PGE Park. With a 2-0 win Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, Necaxa finished at the top of its group and will advance to the second round of the South American championship. Necaxa finishes its 2007-08 Clausura season on April 28 against Veracruz on the road.
Necaxa features four players who have played with the Mexican National Team – midfielder Gerardo Galindo, forward Aaron Padilla and defenders Joaquin Beltran and Salvador Cabrera. Both Galindo and Beltran participated in 2006 World Cup qualifying matches.
Tickets for the Necaxa match start at $14 and are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (503) 224-4400.
STAT WATCH
Though early in the season, midfielder Andrew Gregor and goalkeeper Josh Wicks are among league leaders in several categories. Gregor, who scored two goals against the Islanders, is tied for the league lead in goals with Atlanta Silverbacks’ striker Dan Antoniuk; Gregor is in a three-way tie for the league lead in points with four.
Wicks, who earned his first victory of the 2007 season over Puerto Rico, is tied for the league lead in wins and is currently fifth in saves with four.
WICKS NAMED ASSISTANT COACH AT PORTLAND STATE
Portland State University announced Wednesday that Wicks was named an assistant coach for the Vikings women’s soccer program for the upcoming season.
“I’m excited to have Josh Wicks become part of our soccer program at Portland State,” said PSU head coach Tim Bennett. “His experience and success both at the professional and collegiate levels is impressive.”
Wicks, a three-year pro, played the last two seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps and played in his first match with the Timbers last weekend against Puerto Rico. In 17 career matches, Wicks has allowed only 10 goals.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Timbers hit the road for their next match against the Seattle Sounders on May 5 at Qwest Field at 7 p.m. The match can be heard live here at www.portlandtimbers.com or viewed at www.usllive.com.
