PORTLAND
, Ore.
–
United Soccer Leagues announced today that Portland Timbers forward
Takayuki Suzuki
’s first goal of the 2008 season was named the USL First Division’s Goal of the Week for Week 2. Additionally, Suzuki was voted as the club’s “Man of the Month” for April by fans through the team’s official website –
www.portlandtimbers.com
.
Click here to view Suzuki's goal on April 26.
Suzuki scored his first goal of the season on April 26 to lead the Timbers to a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at PGE Park. In the sixth minute, he launched a curling shot from 25 yards out into the top left corner of the goal. He also recorded an assist against Seattle to help capture the league’s Player of the Week honors for Week 2.
Last season, defenders
Leonard Griffin
and
Justin Thompson
each captured USL First Division Goal of the Week honors. Griffin blistered a long-range shot against the Rochester Raging Rhinos on May 13 (Week 4), while Thompson chipped in the game-winner against the Charleston Battery on Aug. 23 (Week 19).
FANS SELECT SUZUKI AS APRIL’S ‘MAN OF THE MONTH’
Through an online poll on the Timbers official website, Suzuki was selected by fans as the Timbers’ “Man of the Month” for April. The Hitachi, Japan, native, recorded a goal and an assist in three games in April. Through the first month of the season, Suzuki paces the team with eight fouls.
TIMBERS READY FOR MAY
Off to one of their best starts since joining the USL First Division in 2001, the Timbers face their busiest month of the 2008 USL First Division schedule with seven matches (three home, four away) in May. May also marks the Timbers first road matches of the season with trips to play the Seattle Sounders on May 10, Puerto Rico Islanders (May 16), Miami FC Blues (May 18) and Montreal Impact (May 30). As the Timbers hit the road, fans can catch every play with an audio broadcast on
www.portlandtimbers.com
or through USL Live, an online video webcast. Portland kicks off its May schedule next Thursday against the Rochester Raging Rhinos at PGE Park.
OKA ARRIVES IN PORTLAND
Midfielder
Arsene Oka
arrived in Portland Friday afternoon following an 18-hour trip from the Ivory Coast. Oka, who was signed by the Timbers in March, will begin training with his new teammates over the weekend as they prepare for their next match against Rochester. A former Ivory Coast youth international, Oka was a member of Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in 2007.
The Timbers square off against Rochester on May 8 at PGE Park at 7 p.m. Tickets, starting at $11, are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (503) 224-4400.
