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3:00 Minutes
JELD-WEN Field built in just over 180 seconds


VIDEO: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video...=1957&id=13636

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New Timbers DP Chará expected to elevate team

Wilkinson: Colombian midfielder will lend Portland skill, ethic

PORTLAND, Ore. – On the eve of what is expected to be a wildly enthusiastic home opener, the Portland Timbers may have one-upped themselves.

The team on Wednesday announced the signing of their first Designated Player, holding midfielder Diego Chará. The 25-year-old Colombian, a former teammate of Timbers forward Jorge Perlaza at Colombian first-division club Deportes Tolima, is a creative player with an ability elevate those around him, a quality that appealed to Timbers coach John Spencer and general manager Gavin Wilkinson when they scouted him.

“He’s just an impressive, impressive player,” Wilkinson told MLSsoccer.com of the 25-year-old. “He’s got the work ethic that we need, he’s a very good athlete and is always looking at distribution moving forward. He’s a player that can put the opposition under pressure.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...d-elevate-team

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WOW - JUST WOW!!!
images of a historic and unforgettable night


gallery: http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-e..._rain-dre.html

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM VIDEO: http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=114&id=13706

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Rose City kits to debut Saturday vs. Seattle

Cascadia clash has Timbers seeing Red

The Portland Timbers will debut their secondary, “Rose City” red kits this Saturday, when they face Seattle Sounders FC on the road at Qwest Field live on ESPN2. Kickoff between the Cascadia rivals is set for 8 p.m. (PT). Fans can participate online with this historic rivalry week by sharing their stories, photos, travel tales, and rivalry chatter with the Twitter hashtag #rosecity.

The “Rose City” jersey features a split design of two shades of red, separated by “Rose City” thorns repeated down the middle, and Alaska Airlines script across the chest. Highlights of the jersey include “Rose City” verbiage on the back of the neck and the Rose City logo prominently displayed opposite the team’s primary crest on the front of the jersey

http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/...day-vs-seattle

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Bemused Spencer blasts Sounders as full of excuses

Coach questions Seattle's reasoning

http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/...s-full-excuses

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MLS commissioner suspends, fines Portland coach Spencer
Timbers boss cited for recent public criticism of officiating in MLS

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced on Friday that Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer will be suspended for one game and fined $2,500 for inappropriate public comments about officiating in MLS. Spencer’s total fine includes the automatic $500 fine he received for being sent off during the Timbers’ game against the Colorado Rapids on June 11.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-coach-spencer

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Timbers outplay Independiente, win 2-0 in friendly

First-half goals from Zizzo, Umony topple Sudamericana champs

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sal Zizzo and Brian Umony scored first-half goals as the Portland Timbers beat Club Atlético Independiente 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday at JELD-WEN Field.

Despite playing reserves at all but one position, the Timbers outplayed the Argentine club, who are the defending Copa Sudamericana champions. Portland dominated possession and enjoyed an 8-4 shot advantage in the first half.

It was Timbers' only victory in their four exhibition matches.

Timbers reserves have been excellent early in the team’s last two friendly matches. Against West Bromwich Albion on July 20, Portland outplayed the EPL side in the first half and led 2-0 on goals by Eddie Johnson and Peter Lowry before losing 3-2.

Portland once again was the best team early in the match Tuesday.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...n-2-0-friendly

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Timbers, FC Dallas swap young MFs Hall, Alexander

Portland grab center-mid Alexander, while winger Hall goes to FCD

Western Conference foes FC Dallas and Portland Timbers pulled off a swap of young midfielders on Friday as both teams head into the stretch run.

Heading Portland’s way is second-year player Eric Alexander, a 23-year-old from Indiana University who played a crucial role in FCD’s run to MLS Cup as a rookie in 2010, but has been unable to lock down a regular starting job in 2011. Alexander’s been used on both the right and left side of midfield, but is primarily a two-way midfielder at home in the center of the pitch.

Alexander, who earned his first US cap in January, was losing the fight for playing time to new arrivals Andrew Jacobson, Ricardo Villar and Daniel Cruz.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...hall-alexander

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Timbers' Armband Designs
Winners selected from fan submissions


http://www.portlandtimbers.com/video...=1957&id=18509

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Spencer, Portland shoot down advance from Colorado
Rapids come knocking, but Scotsman tells Timbers he's committed


PORTLAND, Ore. – It’s always nice to be wanted. And as far as Gavin Wilkinson and the Portland Timbers organization are concerned, wanting is about as far as the Colorado Rapids' overtures toward head coach John Spencer will go, thank you very much.

The Timbers denied Colorado’s official request to speak with Spencer regarding their recently vacated head coaching position, as first reported by The Oregonian.

Wilkinson, the Timbers general manager, told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday that he and owner Merritt Paulson sat down with Spencer after Colorado came calling on the heels of Gary Smith's departure on Monday.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...vance-colorado

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Portland take a look at fresh faces as 2011 winds down
U-20 goalkeeper Samir Badr among those training with Timbers


most-recognizable name is Badr, a 19-year-old from Fairfax, Va., who signed a reserve-team contract with FC Porto in Portugal in 2009 after graduating from high school. Prior to turning professional, he spent time at the US Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., and played for the United States U-15 and U-17 squads. He was also a member of the U-20 team that won the Milk Cup in 2010.

Myers, 26, played for the San Diego Flash of the National Premier Soccer League this season. He trained briefly with D.C. United and the Chicago Fire prior to arriving in Portland.

Altman, 24, scored three goals this year for the NASL Champion Minnesota Stars in 27 appearances. Kamara, a 17-year-old native of Sierra Leone, featured last year for FC Kallon of the Sierra Leone Premier League. He was also recently on trial with Fredrikstad FK in Norway

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...011-winds-down

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Jewsbury: Goldthwaite retirement big loss for Timbers

"Goldie" a true pro, role model on, off field, says Portland captain

PORTLAND, Ore. – When Portland Timbers defender Kevin Goldthwaite called it a career on Monday, he said he had zero regrets.

But for the Timbers, the seven-year veteran's retirement will be a loss in more ways than one.

“He was one of the veteran guys that I was pretty close to on the team here and a guy who I knew just from playing on different teams and against him," Timbers captain Jack Jewsbury said after Goldthwaite announced his retirement. "Unbelievable guy, great teammate, great professional for the younger players on the team to look up to.

"And I think, throughout the year, in whatever role he had, he definitely helped bring those guys along at this level. Not only as someone on the field, but off the field [as well], this club will miss him.”


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...g-loss-timbers

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Timbers pay homage to their roots with new third kit
Retro jersey has a distinct 1970s look, feel to it for Portland


PORTLAND, Ore. – Timbers defender David Horst shaved off his mustache a few days too early.

The 1970s retro look he was sporting would have gone perfectly with Portland’s new third jersey, which was unveiled Tuesday at JELD-WEN Field. The kit is meant to pay homage to the club's roots, which go back to their founding in the old NASL in 1975.

"I've got to find out when we're going to be wearing those uniforms, and maybe I'll wear a small pair of shorts and a mustache and grow out a mullet or something like that," said Horst, who modeled the new kit along with attacker Darlington Nagbe during the launch celebration. "Anything can happen. It'll be fun."


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-new-third-kit

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New man Valencia wants to make his mark in Portland
“I want to be the difference-maker on the team,” says young DP


Even though the newest Portland Timber, José Adolfo Valencia, will have to wait until early January to join his new club, “El Trencito” (The little train) has already set his No. 1 goal in MLS:

“I want to be the difference maker on the team,” the 19-year-old told FutbolMLS.com by phone shortly after his move to Portland had been made official.

Signed as a young Designated Player – officially the first in MLS – the title carries added pressure for Valencia, who hopes to emulate the success of fellow countryman and now bitter rival Fredy Montero of the Seattle Sounders.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-mark-portland

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Portland Timbers Tournament – Portland, Ore.
JELD-WEN Field


Participating Clubs: Chivas USA, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, AIK (Sweden)

Monday, Feb. 27
8:00 PM Chivas USA vs. AIK
10:30 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers

Thursday, March 1
8:00 PM AIK vs. San Jose Earthquakes
10:30 PM Chivas USA vs. Portland Timbers

Sunday, March 4
5:30 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chivas USA
8:00 PM AIK vs. Portland Timbers

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...son-tournament