Led by coaches
Mehmet Scholl
and
Gerd Mueller
, both German soccer icons, Germany’s Bayern Munich II is set to bring a star-studded cast to Portland, Ore., for its preseason tour, which includes an exhibition match against the Portland Timbers.
Featuring the up-and-coming stars of one of the most successful clubs in Germany and throughout Europe in Bayern Munich, there are high expectations for Bayern Munich II in the upcoming German third division season.
Those expectations will be met by a coaching staff, which has achieved nearly 30 titles, including a World Cup championship, and a talented mix of aspiring players. Their promising season begins this weekend when the club arrives in Portland to begin its preseason tour.
Their eight-day training camp in the Northwest is highlighted by the Spirit Mountain Casino presents Portland Timbers vs. Bayern Munich II exhibition powered by Lufthansa and Widmer Brothers at PGE Park on July 2 at 7 p.m.
Recently named the head coach of Bayern Munich II, Scholl is preparing for his first season as a professional coach in 2009-10. But if there is one thing that Scholl already knows, it’s success. Scholl, 38, played professionally for 17 seasons with Bayern Munich, appearing in 469 competitive matches and scoring 117 goals. He holds the Bayern Munich club record with a total of 21 trophies during his playing career, including eight Bundesliga championships and the 2001 Champions League title. On the international stage, Scholl helped Germany capture the European Championship in 1996.
“When the position was offered, I didn’t have to think about it for long,” said Scholl. “It’s totally different from what I did before as a player; I’ve switched sides. I’m learning something new every day, and I’m thrilled to be working with young, eager people, who’ve not achieved much so far but want to achieve plenty.”
Scholl has a supporting staff that’s second to none, starting with assistant coach Gerd Mueller – one of the Bundesliga’s all-time leading scorers. Mueller played professionally for Bayern Munich from 1964-1979, playing along side legendary player Franz Beckenbauer. He recorded 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga matches, almost 100 goals more than the second-most successful Bundesliga scorer, Klaus Fischer. Mueller also has 62 caps for the West German National Team and scored the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup among his 68 international goals.
Scholl and Mueller have a talented pool of players to work with for the upcoming season, many of whom will be showcased in the exhibition against the Timbers. Bayern Munich II features a handful of players who have seen time with the club’s first team, including defender
Christian Saba
, and others with experience on the international stage, including forward
Deniz Yilmaz
and midfielder
Mehmet Ekici
, who led the German U-17 National Team to a third-place finish in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and defender
Björn Kopplin
, who was on the German National Team that captured the 2008 UEFA U-19 Championship.
"We're honored and excited to help showcase some of Europe's brightest young stars to soccer fans in Portland," said Mark Lagler, Pacific Northwest District Sales Manager for Lufthansa, one of the presenting partners for the upcoming exhibition match. "Bayern Munich II is a respected club from Germany, and will be a treat to see play against the Timbers at PGE Park."
Bayern Munich II begins its preseason training camp in Portland, Ore., Friday. Their time in the Oregon includes several training sessions at PGE Park and around the greater-Portland area, a coaching clinic for Oregon’s youth coaches, sight-seeing and the Spirit Mountain Casino presents Timbers vs. Bayern Munich II exhibition powered by Lufthansa and Widmer Brothers on July 2 at PGE Park.
Tickets for the exhibition match start at just $15 and are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at
www.ticketmaster.com
or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Here is a chance to see the future stars of the European game. A chance to see Bayern Munich players who will be competing for future Bundesliga championships, Champions League titles and even World Cups.
