PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers continue their push for playoff positioning as they travel to face the NSC Minnesota Stars at the National Sports Center on Saturday at 5 p.m. (Pacific).
A live radio broadcast will be available on Sportsradio 95.5 The Game, with a live video webcast available online at
www.portlandtimbers.com/live
.
The Timbers moved into sole possession of third place in the USL Conference with a 1-0 road win over AC St. Louis in their last match Aug. 14. Forward
Bright Dike
scored his third goal in four games to help Portland end a four-game winless stretch.
In a congested playoff picture, the Timbers (8-7-7, 31pts) are tied for fourth place in the overall USSF Division-2 Pro League standings with the Carolina RailHawks. Only four points separate Portland and Carolina from the final teams in the playoff picture – Puerto Rico Islanders, NSC Minnesota and FC Tampa Bay Rowdies. Eight teams advance to the postseason. The two conference leaders are joined by six teams with the next-best point totals, regardless of conference alignment.
Saturday marks the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the Timbers and Stars (7-10-7, 28pts). The two sides met last week in Portland, playing to a 2-2 draw at PGE Park. In their last visit to NSC Minnesota on June 19, the Timbers claimed a 2-0 win on goals by midfielder
Ryan Pore
and defender
Josh Cameron
. The two clubs traded road wins in their first two encounters in June; Portland is 1-1-1 against NSC Minnesota in 2010.
After taking on the Stars, the Timbers return home to close out their regular-season home slate. Portland opens a three-game homestand at PGE Park on Aug. 26, playing host to the Austin Aztex at 7 p.m. The Aug. 26 match features a testimonial match and special recognition of former Timbers player and assistant coach
Jimmy Conway
.
ABOUT NSC MINNESOTA STARS
One of eight teams currently in the playoff picture, the Stars are in seventh place in the USSF D-2 Pro League table. NSC Minnesota had a six-game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 1-0 loss at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 14; it was the team’s first loss since July 4. Saturday’s match is the Stars’ final game during the month of August. The team will get a bye week before starting the final month of the season Sept. 4.
TIMBERS HOST BOWL-FOR-A-GOAL EVENT AUG. 27
Go bowling with the Timbers on Friday, Aug. 27, as the club plays host to Bowl-for-a-Goal at Hollywood Bowl in Portland, with proceeds benefitting the Portland Community Fund. Fans can bowl alongside their favorite Timbers players from 6-9 p.m. Each participant will receive an official event t-shirt, food and non-alcoholic beverages and have their name entered into a drawing for a 2011 MLS jersey. The registration fee for individuals is $50 or teams of six can register for $200; season ticket holders can register for the event for $40. To sign up or learn more details, visit
www.portlandtimbers.com
.
