The Timbers play host to the Minnesota Thunder tonight at PGE Park at 8 p.m., live on Fox Soccer Channel. Bring a stuffed animal to tonight's match for the Teddy Bear Toss. Click here to listen to a live broadcast of tonight's match.
Click here for tonight's match notes.
Tonight's Starters.
POR: GK Cronin, D Hayes, D Keel, D Knowles, D Thompson, M Farber, M Claesson, M Savage, M Suzuki, F Keita, F Josten
MIN: GK Platter, D Kallman, D Clements, D James, D Peterson, M Bass, M Greenfield, M Sanchez, F Dyachenko, F Cvilikas, F St. Preux
Match Preview:
The Portland Timbers enter tonight's match against the Minnesota Thunder on a 10-game unbeaten streak in league play. The team's unbeaten streak matches a modern-franchise record set back in 2004. After four straight games on the road, the Timbers return home to PGE Park to host Minnesota - their fifth game in 11 days.
Portland currently sits in fourth place in the USL First Division, just four points back of the first-place Charleston Battery. In USL First Division action, the Timbers have out-scored their opponents 4-1 over their last four matches and have recorded three shutouts in that span. The Timbers backline ranks among league leaders in the fewest goals allowed this season, conceding just five in 11 matches.
On Tuesday, the Timbers defeated the Sonoma County Sol of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association 3-0 in Santa Rosa, Calif., in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. Forward Mandjou Keita logged two goals and an assist in the match to lead Portland. With the victory, the Timbers advance to third round of the tournament and will play host to Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC on July 1 at PGE Park at 7 p.m. Tickets, starting at $12, went on sale to the public Thursday.
Portland is 10-5-11 all-time against Minnesota, including a 5-3-5 mark at PGE Park. Last season, the Timbers were 1-0-2 against the Thunder, including a 2-1 win at PGE Park on April 24, receiving goals from forward Chris Brown and midfielder Shaun Higgins. Portland is unbeaten against the Thunder over their last six meetings, five of which have ended in a draw. The Timbers have not lost a match to Minnesota since Aug. 4, 2006 - a 1-0 result.
The Timbers will be without the services of midfielders Ryan Pore, the team's leading scorer, and Tony McManus, defender Takuro Nishimura and forward Antouman Jallow for tonight's match due to injury.
Following tonight's match, the Timbers have an eight-day break between games. Portland will play host to the Montreal Impact on Sunday, June 28 at PGE Park as part of a special doubleheader with the Timbers U-23s beginning at 1 p.m. Kickoff against Montreal is set for 5 p.m. Tickets for either game are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
