Timbers announce 2013 MLS Schedule

PORTLAND, Ore. – Major League Soccer today unveiled the full 34-game, 2013 regular-season schedule for the Portland Timbers. The Timbers kick off their third MLS season with one of 13 nationally televised matches during the upcoming campaign on Sunday, March 3, as they play host to the New York Red Bulls at JELD-WEN Field on ESPN2 at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Highlighting the club’s matches broadcast on national TV, the Timbers play host to defending-MLS champion LA Galaxy on NBC on Sunday, Sept. 29, at JELD-WEN Field at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific). Portland also begins defense of the Cascadia Cup on Saturday, March 16, on the road against Seattle Sounders FC on NBC Sports Network. In total, the Timbers play four matches on ESPN/ESPN2, seven on NBC/NBC Sports Network and two on UniMás (Spanish). Nine of the Timbers’ 13 national TV games will originate from JELD-WEN Field.

Individual-game tickets for the Timbers’ 2013 regular-season go on sale to the public Monday, Feb. 18, with tickets for the club’s preseason tournament going on sale Tuesday, Feb. 5. Further details regarding single-game tickets will be announced at a later date.

With a conference-based schedule, the Timbers again will take on each of their eight Western Conference opponents three times and each Eastern Conference club once during the 2013 regular season.

In conference play, the Timbers will play host to the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake twice at JELD-WEN Field and visit each of those four clubs once. Conversely, the Timbers will travel to face Chivas USA, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC twice, with each of those clubs making one appearance in the Rose City during the regular season.

The Timbers, winners of the Cascadia Cup in 2012, will play four of their six regular-season meetings against Cascadia rivals Sounders FC and Whitecaps FC on the road. Portland visits Seattle on March 16, and Sunday, Aug. 25, and travels to Vancouver on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, Oct. 6. The Timbers’ two Cascadia Cup home dates are Saturday, Aug. 3, against Vancouver and Sunday, Oct. 13, against Seattle. All three regular-season matches against Seattle will be nationally televised, with the Oct. 13 matchup airing on ESPN.

After facing New York in the season opener, Portland plays host to four other Eastern Conference clubs, including back-to-back conference champion Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 6. The Timbers play host to an Eastern Conference opponent in three of their first five matches of the season.

Of the Timbers’ five away fixtures against the Eastern Conference, three will come against clubs that qualified for the 2012 MLS Cup playoffs in the Chicago Fire (June 8), D.C. United (May 25) and Sporting Kansas City (April 27). Portland will also face the Columbus Crew (July 7) and Philadelphia Union (July 20) on the road.

The Timbers play home matches on five different days of the week this season, including 15 weekend contests. In addition to playing eight Saturday home games, the Timbers play host to six Sunday matches and one Friday fixture.

Portland plays five of its last eight matches at home and closes out the 2013 regular season on the road against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The Timbers’ full television and radio broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.

Schedule Breakdown:

Home Dates by Day of the Week:
Wednesday (1), Thursday (1), Friday (1), Saturday (8), Sunday (6)
Road Dates by Day of the Week:
Wednesday (2), Friday (1),  Saturday (10), Sunday (4)

Home Dates by Month:
March (2), April (2), May (2), June (2), July (1), August (3), September (3), October (2)
Road Dates by Month:
March (2), April (2), May (3), June (2), July (3), August (2), September (1), October (2)

Western Conference Opponents Played Twice at Home:
Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake

Western Conference Opponents Played Twice Away:
Chivas USA, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Eastern Conference Opponents at Home:
Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC

Eastern Conference Opponents Away:
Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Sporting Kansas City, Philadelphia Union – Timbers do not travel to an Eastern Conference opponent after July 20.

National TV Matches (13):
ESPN (2), ESPN2 (2), NBC (1), NBC Sports Network (6), UniMás (2)

2013 Portland Timbers Schedule (home matches in bold, CAPS)