Thursday, June 21, 2007

Montreal Up Next For PTFC

Official Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIMBERS HOST MONTREAL THURSDAY AT PGE PARK

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers play their second game in three days as they face the Montreal Impact on Thursday at PGE Park at 7 p.m. Thursday's match completes the season series between the two sides and is the Timbers' first league home match since May 27. The Timbers defeated AC Milan Primavera on penalty kicks Tuesday at PGE Park.

The Timbers (4-2-2, 14pts) defeated the Impact (4-2-4, 16pts) 1-0 in their previous meeting June 8 with a late penalty kick goal by midfielder Andrew Gregor. In the match, Timbers goalkeeper Josh Wicks set a new franchise record by posting his fourth consecutive shutout.

Portland leads the all-time series against the Impact 3-2-1, but Montreal is 2-1-0 in three matches at PGE Park.

The Timbers are 1-1-1 in their last three USL First Division matches, including the 1-0 win over the Impact on June 8. In their last league match, the Timbers suffered their second loss of the season, falling 2-1 at Rochester on June 9. Since then, the Timbers have won two straight - a 2-0 win in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup over the Bakersfield Brigade and an exhibition win over AC Milan's U-21 team that was decided on penalty kicks.

Through seven matches at PGE Park this season, including five USL First Division games, the Timbers are 5-0-2 and have outscored opponents 11-4.

Montreal starts a two-game road trip through the Northwest on Thursday against the Timbers. Currently ranked fourth in the USL First Division, the Impact have lost two straight at home and are 0-2-2 in their last four matches. In four games on the road this season, the Impact remain unbeaten with a record of 2-0-2. The Impact are led by midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, who ranks among league leaders with three assists, and goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who has allowed only seven goals in nine matches for a 0.78 goals-against average.

The Impact conclude their road trip against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

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