Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Step One - Win US Open Cup Game

The Portland Timbers beat a rather scrappy Kitsap Pumas PDL side 3 to nil tonight in Bremerton, WA. The Timbers have advanced to play the Sonoma County Sol next Tuesday, June 16th at the Sol's home stadium. The winner faces FC Puke Green in the next round on June 30th.

The match report is noted here, and it was a good effort by the Timbers, especially with the embarrassment of last year's upset loss still fresh in most fan's minds. The Timbers now head out to Carolina for a USL regular season match on Thursday at 4 PM PT, which you can listen to at http://www.portlandtimbers.com/ or watch at USL Live (http://www.usllive.com/). Then, the Timbers travel to Charleston on Saturday for a 4:30 PM PT tilt with the Battery. Right now, the Battery are in first place in the USL Division 1 table, while Carolina sits in the second spot, and the RailHawks remember the 2 - nil loss the Timbers pinned on them on May 1st here in Portland. Saturday's game can be heard at http://www.portlandtimbers.com/ or at http://www.955thegame.com/ or 95.5 FM in the Portland area, or at the USL Live site. The Timbers then come back for the Tuesday night match in the Open Cup, then face last place Minnesota at home next Friday starting at 8 PM.

Timbers Notes -
  • Ryan Pore has a knee problem that will keep him out for a few weeks. It could be a strained or torn MCL, but the report is 4 to 6 weeks off. Based on tonight's game, it appears David Hayes will take on Pore's role as designated PK person.
  • Tony McManus was injured in tonight's Open Cup match, and Tom Poltl made his first appearance of the 2009 campaign replacing McManus.
  • Not sure if there will be a broadcast of the Open Cup match next Tuesday, but 95.5 The Game has promised updates during their weekly Talk Timbers show, which runs Tuesday nights between 7 pm and 8 pm on the Game. Hosted by John Strong, a veteran color analyst and play by play guy who is also a TA emeritus member and has his own radio show weeknights, it's a good snippet of Timbers action, commentary, and interviews. Tonight's chat with Alan Gordon of the Los Angeles Galaxy and formerly of the Timbers was a great listen.

No comments: