PORTLAND, Ore.— The Portland Timbers today unveiled details of the Major League Soccer club’s 2011 preseason schedule, beginning with the first day of training on Monday, Jan. 24, in Portland. The Timbers’ first preseason as an MLS club includes camps in Southern California and Arizona, and will feature a slate of exhibition games against MLS opponents and other clubs.
The Timbers will have nearly eight weeks of preseason preparation before they kick off their inaugural MLS campaign on Saturday, March 19, on the road against the defending-MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids.
Portland’s preseason schedule begins with a week of training in the Rose City before heading to Ventura, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 31, where the club will conduct an eight-day camp at Ventura College, hosted by the Ventura County Fusion of the Premier Development League. In addition to a set of preseason matches against MLS clubs, the Timbers will face the Fusion in a preseason fixture Friday, Feb. 4, at Ventura College at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at www.vcfusion.com.
After eight days in California, the Timbers return to Portland for a week of training from Feb. 10-16. The team will then head to Casa Grande, Ariz., for a nine-day camp at the state-of-the-art facility Grande Sports World through Feb. 28. While in Arizona, the Timbers will play a series of preseason matches, primarily against MLS opponents. Details regarding dates and opponents of preseason matches will be released at a later date.
The Timbers wrap up the final three weeks of preseason training in Portland.
Portland Timbers 2011 Preseason Training Schedule (subject to change):
Saturday, Jan. 22 – Players report in Portland and entrance physicals
Jan. 24-28 – Training in Portland
Feb. 1-8 – Preseason camp at Ventura College in Ventura, Calif.
Friday, Feb. 4 – Preseason match vs. Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College; 7 p.m.
Feb. 10-16 – Training in Portland
Feb. 18-26 – Preseason camp at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Monday, Feb. 28 – Team resumes training in Portland
Saturday, March 19 – MLS First Kick 2011: Timbers at Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6 p.m. (Pacific)
