Thursday, June 28, 2007

California Victory & Miami FC Up Next

Official Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIMBERS FACE CALIFORNIA, HOST MIAMI THIS WEEK

Timbers celebrate Fiesta Latino Night with 2007 Team Posters Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play two games in three days to end the week as they travel to San Francisco on Thursday to face the California Victory and then return home on Saturday to host Miami FC at PGE Park at 7 p.m.

In June, the Timbers (4-2-3, 15pts) are 1-1-1 in league matches including a win and draw against the Montreal Impact. Their matches against California and Miami are just the fourth and fifth league matches of the month.

With a 1-2-0 record on the road, the Timbers make their first trip to Kezar Stadium in San Francisco to play the Victory (1-5-5, 8pts) at 7 p.m. Portland leads the season series 1-0-0 with a 2-0 win at PGE Park on May 25. Thursday's match is the second of five regular-season meetings between the two clubs.

On Saturday, the Timbers play host to Miami FC (4-8-2, 14pts) in their only trip to PGE Park in 2007. With two loses to Miami FC last season, the Timbers are 0-2-0 all time against Miami. Portland's defense has allowed the fewest goals in the USL First Division and has helped the Timbers post a 3-0-3 record at home this season. Kickoff against Miami is set for 7 p.m.

Both matches can be heard live online at www.portlandtimbers.com with broadcaster Andy McNamara calling the action. An online video broadcast is available through USL Live at www.usllive.com.

The first 1,000 fans at Saturday's game receive a 2007 Timbers Team Poster on Fiesta Latino Night presented by Cricket Wireless. Tickets, starting at $10, are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (503) 224-4400.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA VICTORY
The Victory had a five-game unbeaten streak snapped by a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Thunder on June 24. Over the five-game stretch, California was 1-0-4 and recorded two shutouts. In their last match, the Victory defeated the Thunder 1-0 in overtime in U.S. Open Cup action. In a physical contest, midfielder Ricardo Sanchez scored five minutes into overtime for the win. California forward Juan Epitie will be available for the match as he returns from his involvement with the African Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea. The Victory have a new addition to the roster, midfielder Frederico Bianchi - who last played with the PDL's Long Island Rough Riders.

ABOUT MIAMI FC
Miami FC is 0-2-2 in its last four matches and has not earned a victory since June 2. In their last match, Miami FC suffered a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps at home on June 22 - its eighth loss of the season. Miami begins a three-match road trip to the West Coast with a match in Seattle on June 28 and ends with a match against California on July 4. Currently ranked ninth in the USL First Division, Miami FC played its inaugural season in 2006.

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