timberlog - Byron Alvarez Interview
I got the chance to sit down with Timbers forward Byron Alvarez yesterday for a short interview. Byron has made a massive impact this season scoring 9 goals in only 8 full starts for the team so far, including a hat-trick.
After finishing their morning training session, Byron, who has played professionally in Mexico and for the NY/NJ MetroStars of MLS, found some shade at PGE Park and spoke about his family, playing in Portland and the great fans and atmosphere at PGE Park.
[now with added sound clips!]
posted by the timberlog at 12:26 PMAfter finishing their morning training session, Byron, who has played professionally in Mexico and for the NY/NJ MetroStars of MLS, found some shade at PGE Park and spoke about his family, playing in Portland and the great fans and atmosphere at PGE Park.
[now with added sound clips!]
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Sancho's Wait Over
Brent Sancho officially became a Dundee player yesterday, his work permit being granted after weeks of uncertainty. The former Timbers favorite is now concentrating on getting into the Dundee first 11.
Good Luck Brent!
posted by the timberlog at 9:12 AMGood Luck Brent!
Monday, July 28, 2003
Sounds from the Park
Some sounds from yesterday's game against Calgary
Clip1 - Fadi Afash Overhead Kick
Clip2 - Fadi shot saved by a diving Wiebenga
Clip3 - "Rose City Till I Die"
Clip4 - Timber Jim's Chainsaw Revving
[mp3 files - 110KB to about 300KB]
posted by the timberlog at 1:48 PMClip1 - Fadi Afash Overhead Kick
Clip2 - Fadi shot saved by a diving Wiebenga
Clip3 - "Rose City Till I Die"
Clip4 - Timber Jim's Chainsaw Revving
[mp3 files - 110KB to about 300KB]
Timbers Enter Crucial Final Month
The Portland Timbers enter the final month of the regular A-league season knowing that they have to play their best soccer of the year to make the playoffs. This weekend's slips leave the team 7 points behind Seattle and 3 points behind Vancouver, both currently occupying the 2 playoff places in the Pacific Division.
The Timbers play again on Sat August 9th when they meet Seattle in a crucial battle at PGE Park. Portland play the Sounders twice more, the very next night in Seattle and then at PGE Park again just over a week later. By the time the Timbers play again the Vancouver Whitecaps will have played 5 of their remaining 7 games leaving the Timbers' players knowing exactly whet they have to do to continue their season into September. Stay tuned for updates on the Timbers playoff hopes in the next few weeks.
[Oregonian on the Timbers Playoff Hopes]
[Oregonian Calgary game report]
[timberlog match report]
posted by the timberlog at 1:00 PMThe Timbers play again on Sat August 9th when they meet Seattle in a crucial battle at PGE Park. Portland play the Sounders twice more, the very next night in Seattle and then at PGE Park again just over a week later. By the time the Timbers play again the Vancouver Whitecaps will have played 5 of their remaining 7 games leaving the Timbers' players knowing exactly whet they have to do to continue their season into September. Stay tuned for updates on the Timbers playoff hopes in the next few weeks.
[Oregonian on the Timbers Playoff Hopes]
[Oregonian Calgary game report]
[timberlog match report]
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Timbers Stumble
The Timbers stumbled over the weekend going into the last month of the regular A-League season, picking up only 1 out of a possible 6 points. On Friday an overtime loss in Minnesota 1-0 after Amos Magee hit the winner in the 92nd minute and tonight a 1-1 draw against Calgary at PGE Park.
Timbers keeper Josh Saunders faced an onslaught of 21 shots on Friday making 6 saves as Minnesota out-shot the Timbers 21-10. McKinley Tennyson almost won the game in the final minute of regulation, but Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren beat him to the ball, forcing overtime an the Timbers loss to the "golden goal".
Then tonight the Timbers could only draw 1-1 with Team Calgary who were coming off a 6-0 thrashing in Seattle on Saturday. The Timbers, who have played 3 games in the last 5 days looked tired and Calgary took an early lead on 7' when Ian Clarke found Nick Reyes on the right side 35 yds out and his dipping shot went in over Josh Saunders' head in the Portland goal.
Gavin Wilkinson got his first goal of the year to even the scores in the 33rd minute, heading in Hugo Alcaraz' corner. Despite outshooting Calgary 16-7 the Timbers could not score again, even with Fadi Afash coming on late and looking sharp and the announced crowd of 4,261 had to watch the Timbers pick up only a single point.
[full match report to follow]
posted by the timberlog at 8:52 PMTimbers keeper Josh Saunders faced an onslaught of 21 shots on Friday making 6 saves as Minnesota out-shot the Timbers 21-10. McKinley Tennyson almost won the game in the final minute of regulation, but Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren beat him to the ball, forcing overtime an the Timbers loss to the "golden goal".
Then tonight the Timbers could only draw 1-1 with Team Calgary who were coming off a 6-0 thrashing in Seattle on Saturday. The Timbers, who have played 3 games in the last 5 days looked tired and Calgary took an early lead on 7' when Ian Clarke found Nick Reyes on the right side 35 yds out and his dipping shot went in over Josh Saunders' head in the Portland goal.
Gavin Wilkinson got his first goal of the year to even the scores in the 33rd minute, heading in Hugo Alcaraz' corner. Despite outshooting Calgary 16-7 the Timbers could not score again, even with Fadi Afash coming on late and looking sharp and the announced crowd of 4,261 had to watch the Timbers pick up only a single point.
[full match report to follow]
Friday, July 25, 2003
Weekend Preview
The Timbers continue their Central Division road-trip tonight with a game against the Minnesota Thunder (10-0-6, 30 pts).
Portland (11-0-8, 33 pts) will be looking to increase their winning streak to 5 games and to keep their second place spot in the Pacific Division, a spot which will assure them of an A-league playoff place. The Thunder are coming to the end of a 8 game run at home which has seen them win only 3, but Minnesota are always one of the best organized teams in the A-League and are not to be underestimated.
Tonight's game will be a real test of the improved Timbers, Minnesota having handed them an embarrising 3-0 loss at PGE Park earlier in the year, a game which is seen to have been the turning point in Portland's fortunes this season.
On Sunday the Timbers return to PGE Park to play Team Calgary, kick-off at 5pm. Tickets start at $8 (cheaper if you get a Fred Meyer Family ticket) so get on down to PGE Park to see the on-fire Timbers.
posted by the timberlog at 11:50 AMPortland (11-0-8, 33 pts) will be looking to increase their winning streak to 5 games and to keep their second place spot in the Pacific Division, a spot which will assure them of an A-league playoff place. The Thunder are coming to the end of a 8 game run at home which has seen them win only 3, but Minnesota are always one of the best organized teams in the A-League and are not to be underestimated.
Tonight's game will be a real test of the improved Timbers, Minnesota having handed them an embarrising 3-0 loss at PGE Park earlier in the year, a game which is seen to have been the turning point in Portland's fortunes this season.
On Sunday the Timbers return to PGE Park to play Team Calgary, kick-off at 5pm. Tickets start at $8 (cheaper if you get a Fred Meyer Family ticket) so get on down to PGE Park to see the on-fire Timbers.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
PGE Park 360 degree view
Came upon this nice little 360 degree panorama of PGE Park (there is one for the other 2003 WWC venues too) on the fifaworldcup site.
posted by the timberlog at 2:04 PMTimbers Keep Winning: Cincinnati 1 - 2 Portland
More keg tosses and more mentions in Willamette Week articles please as 2 players honored locally in the last week score for the Timbers away from home.
Portland made it 4 wins in a row with a 2-1 win in Kentucky last night, Jake Sagare scoring his first goal in his 2 seasons with the team to break the overtime deadlock.
The Riverhawks had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Allen Eller who converted a loose ball after a corner. The Timbers had to wait until the 80th minute for McKinley Tennyson to equalize, heading Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar's corner home from point-blank range. It was Tennyson's 10th goal of the year and Hugo's 5th assist.
The game entered overtime and 10 minutes in Sagare hit the winning goal from 18 yards to take Portland to within 5 points of Seattle in the Pacific Division.
[Oregonian report]
[Riverhawks Report]
posted by the timberlog at 9:33 AMPortland made it 4 wins in a row with a 2-1 win in Kentucky last night, Jake Sagare scoring his first goal in his 2 seasons with the team to break the overtime deadlock.
The Riverhawks had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Allen Eller who converted a loose ball after a corner. The Timbers had to wait until the 80th minute for McKinley Tennyson to equalize, heading Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar's corner home from point-blank range. It was Tennyson's 10th goal of the year and Hugo's 5th assist.
The game entered overtime and 10 minutes in Sagare hit the winning goal from 18 yards to take Portland to within 5 points of Seattle in the Pacific Division.
[Oregonian report]
[Riverhawks Report]
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
First a Gaddafi...Now a woman!!
In a soccer story that's bound to get some (inter)national air-time...if only in that "look at those crazy soccer-loving foreigners" type way, Italian side Perugia (from that lovely Umbrian city of...well...Perugia, where if you visit you too can feel that you are living in your very own Olive Oil/Pasta Sauce/Italian Wine commercial...yes it's THAT beautiful!)...are looking for a female player to play alongside the men in Serie A.
Club president Luciano Gaucci's aim to make Perugia "...the first club on the planet to play a woman with men in the first division." comes after his recent signing of Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the 28-year-old son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Gaucci went on to warn anyone trying to stand in the way of his signing..
posted by the timberlog at 10:25 AMClub president Luciano Gaucci's aim to make Perugia "...the first club on the planet to play a woman with men in the first division." comes after his recent signing of Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the 28-year-old son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
"I'd be astonished if anyone kicked up a fuss. Firstly because it's not forbidden in the rules, which only mention men playing in women's teams. Secondly women have the same rights as men, which should be respected on the football field as in all walks of life."
Gaucci went on to warn anyone trying to stand in the way of his signing..
"If that happens, women all over the world will revolt."
WWeek - Best Overseas Studies Program
The Timbers, by now traditional (remember 2001's BEST MASCOT IN THE ENTIRE FREAKING WORLD: TIMBER JIM), appearance in the "Best of" awards goes to Gavin Wilkinson and Jake Sagare this year.
The WWeek chose them for both having picked up valuable experience overseas this year, Wilkinson was in New Zealand's squad for the Confederations Cup in France recently and Sagare spent nine months in a "dingy" bed-and-breakfast in NE England while playing for Grimsby Town.
[Note: The award below BEST STUPID NAMES FOR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DON'T HAVE STUPID NAMES (YET) tells me I still have some way to get my very own Beau-Wi ("Bowie"...Beaumont-Wilshire...geddit!) into common usage!!]
posted by the timberlog at 10:12 AMThe WWeek chose them for both having picked up valuable experience overseas this year, Wilkinson was in New Zealand's squad for the Confederations Cup in France recently and Sagare spent nine months in a "dingy" bed-and-breakfast in NE England while playing for Grimsby Town.
[Note: The award below BEST STUPID NAMES FOR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DON'T HAVE STUPID NAMES (YET) tells me I still have some way to get my very own Beau-Wi ("Bowie"...Beaumont-Wilshire...geddit!) into common usage!!]
Wireless PGE Park
Oregonian article today about the kerfuffle over free wireless internet access available at PGE Park. Not really that it's available (not much they can do to stop it I imagine!), rather that the Portland Personal Telco Project's press release implied that PGE Park's management were involved in setting up the project.
Last week Todd Kimball's buisness, Moonlight Staffing, began transmitting high-speed Internet access from its office across the street from PGE Park allowing up to 60 people with WiFi in the area to log on.
Back in March of this year in an Intel survey Portland was named the top US city for wireless internet connectivity and Portland's Personal Telco Project's website lists over 180 "hotspots" where users can get free wireless access.
The press release in question doesn't seem to be present on the project's website, but the Moonlight Staffing node is listed (sans PGE Park logo) along with another node provided by "loebjack". This one does use the PGE Park logo, but hasn't received the same attention presumably beacuse it's set-up wasn't accompanied by a press release.
posted by the timberlog at 9:13 AMLast week Todd Kimball's buisness, Moonlight Staffing, began transmitting high-speed Internet access from its office across the street from PGE Park allowing up to 60 people with WiFi in the area to log on.
Back in March of this year in an Intel survey Portland was named the top US city for wireless internet connectivity and Portland's Personal Telco Project's website lists over 180 "hotspots" where users can get free wireless access.
The press release in question doesn't seem to be present on the project's website, but the Moonlight Staffing node is listed (sans PGE Park logo) along with another node provided by "loebjack". This one does use the PGE Park logo, but hasn't received the same attention presumably beacuse it's set-up wasn't accompanied by a press release.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Cincinnati v Portland Preview
The Timbers start their Central Division road-trip tomorrow night at Cincinnati, taking on the Riverhawks at the Town & Country Sports Complex.
The Riverhawks (8-0-11, 24 pts.) will be looking for a win to leapfrog over Milwaukee and El Paso in the Central, while the Timbers (10-0-8, 30 pts.) have a chance to narrow the gap on Seattle and stretch their lead over Vancouver.
The Timbers, who have won 8 of their last 10 games need a couple of good results on the road (they play Minnesota on Friday) taking them into the final 8 A-league games which include 3 against arch rival Seattle.
Cincinnati have only won 4 out of their last 10 and the teams have split their 2 previous meetings, both in the 2002 season, with Cincinatti winning at home and the Timbers taking the game at PGE Park.
Both games can be heard by tuning your cats-whisker to KKPZ AM-1330 or on OregonLive.com. 4 p.m. (Pacific) for Wednesday's game or 5:30 p.m. for Friday's match.
[Note: Wednesday's radio broadcast/webcast is now LIVE at 4pm rather than the originally advertised delayed 7pm]
posted by the timberlog at 1:34 PMThe Riverhawks (8-0-11, 24 pts.) will be looking for a win to leapfrog over Milwaukee and El Paso in the Central, while the Timbers (10-0-8, 30 pts.) have a chance to narrow the gap on Seattle and stretch their lead over Vancouver.
The Timbers, who have won 8 of their last 10 games need a couple of good results on the road (they play Minnesota on Friday) taking them into the final 8 A-league games which include 3 against arch rival Seattle.
Cincinnati have only won 4 out of their last 10 and the teams have split their 2 previous meetings, both in the 2002 season, with Cincinatti winning at home and the Timbers taking the game at PGE Park.
Both games can be heard by tuning your cats-whisker to KKPZ AM-1330 or on OregonLive.com. 4 p.m. (Pacific) for Wednesday's game or 5:30 p.m. for Friday's match.
[Note: Wednesday's radio broadcast/webcast is now LIVE at 4pm rather than the originally advertised delayed 7pm]
Monday, July 21, 2003
Brent Still Waiting to Join Dundee
Former Timber's defender Brent Sancho is still waiting on his visa appeal which is due to be heard at the end of this week. Sancho drove from Baltimore to Raleigh, NC to see Dundee’s draw against CD Marathon in the final game of the Scottish side's pre-season tour.
posted by the timberlog at 1:03 PMWeekend Round-Up
Black Queens
A mention in the Oregonian about the Ghanaian Women's team, the "Black Queens" and their Portland connection.
Mimi Osei-Agyemang, the Black Queens striker, who you'll remember from numerous reports at the Portland Rain site and the odd one here, is a local player and her father Simon will be acting as the team's liaison while the team trains in Portland (for more than a month before the actual finals) and plays their Group D games first in Carson, CA and then at PGE Park.
Exciting for the Ghanaian population in Oregon (estimated at about 100 (50 in Portland), so the Ghanaian mum at the Park told me yesterday!)
A reminder that tickets for the PGE Park series went on sale to the general public (or those who couldn't track down one of the myriad passwords for the pre-sale!) on Saturday. Ticketmaster now lists the seating in a more logical way, simply North, South, East and West and prices still range from $75 to $305 for the 3 days (6 games in all)
Manchester United
After sneering reports worldwide of the "12 fans and one American television reporter" who met the team at PDX on Saturday an estimated 10,000 (or 5,000 according to the Times report) watched the team train at the Nike Campus on Sunday morning as a prelude to the Manchester United Premier Cup final which has been going on all week at the Beaverton enclave.
Whatever your views on the "World's Most Famous Club" it was good to hear United legend Bobby Charlton, who was present, say...
The Premier Cup is the world's top U-15 tournament with teams from all over the globe competing.
The Brazilian side Corinthians beat FC Porto 2-1 to take the title, but unfortunatley for those looking for results and information from the (admittedly nice looking) associated website updating was poor.
As someone on the tournament message board pointed out, Nike can pay millions for sports stars to wear their shoes, but seemed to stumble when it came to giving someone a handheld and getting up-to-the-minute scores and updates online, a service the parents of the players all over the world whould have appreciated.
(More) Instability in Portland
More on the continuing worrying situation in this Salt Lake Tribune article about Metropolitan Sports.
More of the same about the owners of the Beavers and Timbers holding out for a MLB bailout (IF) the Rose City gets a major league baseball relocation.
posted by the timberlog at 11:47 AMA mention in the Oregonian about the Ghanaian Women's team, the "Black Queens" and their Portland connection.
Mimi Osei-Agyemang, the Black Queens striker, who you'll remember from numerous reports at the Portland Rain site and the odd one here, is a local player and her father Simon will be acting as the team's liaison while the team trains in Portland (for more than a month before the actual finals) and plays their Group D games first in Carson, CA and then at PGE Park.
Exciting for the Ghanaian population in Oregon (estimated at about 100 (50 in Portland), so the Ghanaian mum at the Park told me yesterday!)
A reminder that tickets for the PGE Park series went on sale to the general public (or those who couldn't track down one of the myriad passwords for the pre-sale!) on Saturday. Ticketmaster now lists the seating in a more logical way, simply North, South, East and West and prices still range from $75 to $305 for the 3 days (6 games in all)
Manchester United
After sneering reports worldwide of the "12 fans and one American television reporter" who met the team at PDX on Saturday an estimated 10,000 (or 5,000 according to the Times report) watched the team train at the Nike Campus on Sunday morning as a prelude to the Manchester United Premier Cup final which has been going on all week at the Beaverton enclave.
Whatever your views on the "World's Most Famous Club" it was good to hear United legend Bobby Charlton, who was present, say...
"You can't imagine how pleased I am to come to America and find an enthusiasm that wasn't there in my day," Charlton said with relish."
The Premier Cup is the world's top U-15 tournament with teams from all over the globe competing.
The Brazilian side Corinthians beat FC Porto 2-1 to take the title, but unfortunatley for those looking for results and information from the (admittedly nice looking) associated website updating was poor.
As someone on the tournament message board pointed out, Nike can pay millions for sports stars to wear their shoes, but seemed to stumble when it came to giving someone a handheld and getting up-to-the-minute scores and updates online, a service the parents of the players all over the world whould have appreciated.
(More) Instability in Portland
More on the continuing worrying situation in this Salt Lake Tribune article about Metropolitan Sports.
More of the same about the owners of the Beavers and Timbers holding out for a MLB bailout (IF) the Rose City gets a major league baseball relocation.
Metropolitan Sports LLC also has delayed finalizing a deal to reduce a debt with a teachers' pension fund, evidently hoping that Major League Baseball chooses Portland as the new home of the Montreal Expos.
If that happened, the Beavers would leave town and the Expos would have to pay them for the territorial rights, which could help reduce the pension-fund debt. In any case, the league is disturbed at having a team so financially encumbered.
"Triple-A baseball fully anticipates being in Portland in 2004, but even that is not fully assured," PCL commissioner Branch Rickey told the newspaper. "We are fully committed to addressing all the baseball-related debt, one way or the other, but we are not willing to have a negative attachment to any of our franchises of unpaid debt. We thought we'd have it solved well before this."
If that happened, the Beavers would leave town and the Expos would have to pay them for the territorial rights, which could help reduce the pension-fund debt. In any case, the league is disturbed at having a team so financially encumbered.
"Triple-A baseball fully anticipates being in Portland in 2004, but even that is not fully assured," PCL commissioner Branch Rickey told the newspaper. "We are fully committed to addressing all the baseball-related debt, one way or the other, but we are not willing to have a negative attachment to any of our franchises of unpaid debt. We thought we'd have it solved well before this."
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Women's World Cup Draw
The results of today's draw for the 2003 Women's World Cup are in and keeping with tradition, YES there IS a "Group of Death". Nominated this time around as Group A which contains the USA, Sweden, African Champions Nigeria and Asian Champions DPR Korea.
Group B is made up of Norway, France, Brazil and Korea Republic
The four teams guaranteed to be seen at PGE Park for the Group D finals on Sept 28th are China, Ghana, Australia and Russia.
The Group C (Germany, Canada, Japan, Argentina) v Group D quarterfinals are on Oct 2nd and the semifinals (which would be the only opportunity to see the US team in Portland, provided they make it that far) are on Oct 5th.
...and finally a word about team nicknames (which the timberlog will be covering "in depth" over the coming weeks leading up to the WWC 2003).
Let's look closer at the Group D teams...
The timberlog's favorite so far HAS to be Ghana's "Black Queens" (destined to be my favorite team I predict!), closely followed by the Matildas, the Australian team (slightly spoiled by apparantly being officially the "Qantas Matildas"!).
Of course for all you traditional Rose City dwellers your pick will probably be the team from China, the "Steel Roses".
posted by the timberlog at 2:13 PMGroup B is made up of Norway, France, Brazil and Korea Republic
The four teams guaranteed to be seen at PGE Park for the Group D finals on Sept 28th are China, Ghana, Australia and Russia.
The Group C (Germany, Canada, Japan, Argentina) v Group D quarterfinals are on Oct 2nd and the semifinals (which would be the only opportunity to see the US team in Portland, provided they make it that far) are on Oct 5th.
...and finally a word about team nicknames (which the timberlog will be covering "in depth" over the coming weeks leading up to the WWC 2003).
Let's look closer at the Group D teams...
The timberlog's favorite so far HAS to be Ghana's "Black Queens" (destined to be my favorite team I predict!), closely followed by the Matildas, the Australian team (slightly spoiled by apparantly being officially the "Qantas Matildas"!).
Of course for all you traditional Rose City dwellers your pick will probably be the team from China, the "Steel Roses".
Important Keg Toss Update
McKinley Tennyson and Brian Winters will be wearing KILTS...yes KILTS (cue obvious question!!) for their charity Keg Toss this Friday (tomorrow) in Pioneer Courthouse Square at 12.30pm
[Update] Of course McKinley won the MacTarnahan's Keg Toss to help raise money for arts and athletics in Portland Public Schools with a 31-foot throw!
posted by the timberlog at 1:54 PM[Update] Of course McKinley won the MacTarnahan's Keg Toss to help raise money for arts and athletics in Portland Public Schools with a 31-foot throw!
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Alvarez and Alcaraz-Cuellar make A-League Team of the Week
The Timbers Byron Alvarez and Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar both made the USL's A-League team of the week for week 13 for their performances in the games against El Paso and Milwaukee.
Good News and Bad News
Adam Wilson, who suffered an ankle sprain after a tackle from Milwaukee's John Ball, could be back on July 23 at Cincinnati. Manuel Brasil has not been in the Timbers squad and remains out indefinitely after surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
See some Timbers players around town
See McKinley Tennyson and Brian Winters taking part in the MacTarnahan's Celebrity Keg Toss at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday, July 18 at 12:30 p.m. where they will be...er...tossing kegs! Local celebrities (it says here!) will compete to see how far they can hurl a 15.5-gallon keg in a fundraiser for Portland Public Schools.
If you miss that you might be able to catch "several Timbers" signing autographs at Nordstroms on August 2. The event will take place during Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale at Washington Square Mall between 2-4 p.m.
posted by the timberlog at 5:58 PMGood News and Bad News
Adam Wilson, who suffered an ankle sprain after a tackle from Milwaukee's John Ball, could be back on July 23 at Cincinnati. Manuel Brasil has not been in the Timbers squad and remains out indefinitely after surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
See some Timbers players around town
See McKinley Tennyson and Brian Winters taking part in the MacTarnahan's Celebrity Keg Toss at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday, July 18 at 12:30 p.m. where they will be...er...tossing kegs! Local celebrities (it says here!) will compete to see how far they can hurl a 15.5-gallon keg in a fundraiser for Portland Public Schools.
If you miss that you might be able to catch "several Timbers" signing autographs at Nordstroms on August 2. The event will take place during Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale at Washington Square Mall between 2-4 p.m.
Monday, July 14, 2003
Timbers Make it 3 in-a-row: Portland 4 - 3 Milwaukee
The Timbers made it 3 wins in a row and 8 wins in the last 10 games with a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Wave United at PGE Park last night.
Two goals apiece from Byron Alvarez (including the winner on 90' after Hugo Alcarez' shot had hit the post) and McKinley Tennyson, beat Milwaukee who's squad included former Timber Greg Howes. Milwaukee's John Ball got his "marching orders" on 85' after his second yellow and Adam Wilson suffered an injured ankle in the incident.
The Timbers outshot the Wave United 19-9, hitting four shots off the posts or crossbar, the final score flattering the Wave especially considering that their 3rd goal was a clear candidate for being disallowed after Josh Saunders was flattened, the referee deciding that he was officiating in a WWF bout.
[Oregonian report]
posted by the timberlog at 4:01 PMTwo goals apiece from Byron Alvarez (including the winner on 90' after Hugo Alcarez' shot had hit the post) and McKinley Tennyson, beat Milwaukee who's squad included former Timber Greg Howes. Milwaukee's John Ball got his "marching orders" on 85' after his second yellow and Adam Wilson suffered an injured ankle in the incident.
The Timbers outshot the Wave United 19-9, hitting four shots off the posts or crossbar, the final score flattering the Wave especially considering that their 3rd goal was a clear candidate for being disallowed after Josh Saunders was flattened, the referee deciding that he was officiating in a WWF bout.
[Oregonian report]
Friday, July 11, 2003
Timbers Win Again - Portland 3 - 2 El Paso
Another solid Timbers performance tonight at PGE Park against a difficult El Paso side saw the home team pulling a 3-2 win from the bag with a 76 minute goal when Aaron Heinzen's shot was deflected off McKinley Tennyson's leg past the patriots keeper Alexander.
The Timbers took the lead on 20' when Hugo Alcaraz scored a rare (but deserved) goal after a good move down the left by Byron Alvarez and a pull back to McKinley Tennyson gave space to the Timbers' winger. Tennson's pass was slotted home past Alexander's right hand.
The Patriots hit back on 32' when the referee awarded a penalty after Andrades' header hit Bryn Ritchie's hand in the area. Andrades' place kick beat Saunders to level the scores. The Timbers went in at half time 2-1 up after Lee Morrison had headed Alcaraz' corner in on 44'.
The patriots leveled the score again on 49' when Saunders was too slow to clear Downing's back pass and allowed Andrades to take the ball away from close in and score his second.
The Timbers had to wait until 76' to score the deserved winner when Aaron Heinzen's shot deflected off Tennyson's leg past the El Paso keeper. 3-2 Timbers and another winning night at PGE Park in front of an announced 4,959 crowd.
[full report to follow]
posted by the timberlog at 10:32 PMThe Timbers took the lead on 20' when Hugo Alcaraz scored a rare (but deserved) goal after a good move down the left by Byron Alvarez and a pull back to McKinley Tennyson gave space to the Timbers' winger. Tennson's pass was slotted home past Alexander's right hand.
The Patriots hit back on 32' when the referee awarded a penalty after Andrades' header hit Bryn Ritchie's hand in the area. Andrades' place kick beat Saunders to level the scores. The Timbers went in at half time 2-1 up after Lee Morrison had headed Alcaraz' corner in on 44'.
The patriots leveled the score again on 49' when Saunders was too slow to clear Downing's back pass and allowed Andrades to take the ball away from close in and score his second.
The Timbers had to wait until 76' to score the deserved winner when Aaron Heinzen's shot deflected off Tennyson's leg past the El Paso keeper. 3-2 Timbers and another winning night at PGE Park in front of an announced 4,959 crowd.
[full report to follow]
No rest for Timbers' Saunders this weekend
Oregonian article about Timbers keeper Josh Saunders who is making some kind of record attempt by playing 3 games in 3 days and traveling over 1140 miles in the process.
Timberlog exclusive! Here is his itinerary:
Friday
7.05 pm Starts game for Portland against El Paso at PGE Park.
9.00 pm Game ends. Another clean sheet!
10.00 pm Early to bed for our boy Josh...
Saturday
6.30am Alarm clock wakes Josh to another glorious Portland morning
6.45 Shower and a healthy breakfast of...oh...toast (lightly buttered), juice and coffee
7.00 Reads Oregonian report on last night's win...smiles sweetly to himself.
7.30 Leaves house for PDX...probably tri-met...or maybe short-term parking?
8.00 Check-in at Alaska
8.15 Realizes breakfast was not enough and stops off at Good Dog-Bad Dog on route to gate!
9.00 Boards plane to San Jose
9.05 Settles down with "Car Collector" Magazine. "Actually i'm a professional soccer player" to cute girl in 13C!
11.00 Arrives San Jose
12.00 A light lunch...maybe pizza and a salad
2.00 Training session with the Earthquakes
5.00 Arrive at Spartan Stadium
6.15 Josh's pre-game ritual involving his well worn copy of "Lord of the Rings" and a poster of Liv Tyler while listening to Aerosmith's "Crazy" on his walkman (OK, i'm just making this up now!)
7.00 pm KO Earthquakes v Rapids
9.00 pm Game ends with Josh having sat on bench all game apart from one moment when Jon Conway went up for a cross and came down holding his index finger!
10.00pm Out with "the lads", hears small voice in his head...sounds a bit like Bobby Howe..."sorry Chris (Roner) love to stay for another, but i've got a big game tomorrow back in Portland"!....Good boy!!
10.30 pm Bed
Sunday
10.00 am back on Alaska flight to PDX. No cute girl this time just a sweaty "suit" on his way to a service call-out to a small-to-middling technology company in Beaverton.
1.00pm to PGE Park for pre-game pep talk
5.00 Timbers v Milwaukee starts.
7.00 The end of a hectic weekend for the Timbers keeper.
posted by the timberlog at 11:33 AMTimberlog exclusive! Here is his itinerary:
Friday
7.05 pm Starts game for Portland against El Paso at PGE Park.
9.00 pm Game ends. Another clean sheet!
10.00 pm Early to bed for our boy Josh...
Saturday
6.30am Alarm clock wakes Josh to another glorious Portland morning
6.45 Shower and a healthy breakfast of...oh...toast (lightly buttered), juice and coffee
7.00 Reads Oregonian report on last night's win...smiles sweetly to himself.
7.30 Leaves house for PDX...probably tri-met...or maybe short-term parking?
8.00 Check-in at Alaska
8.15 Realizes breakfast was not enough and stops off at Good Dog-Bad Dog on route to gate!
9.00 Boards plane to San Jose
9.05 Settles down with "Car Collector" Magazine. "Actually i'm a professional soccer player" to cute girl in 13C!
11.00 Arrives San Jose
12.00 A light lunch...maybe pizza and a salad
2.00 Training session with the Earthquakes
5.00 Arrive at Spartan Stadium
6.15 Josh's pre-game ritual involving his well worn copy of "Lord of the Rings" and a poster of Liv Tyler while listening to Aerosmith's "Crazy" on his walkman (OK, i'm just making this up now!)
7.00 pm KO Earthquakes v Rapids
9.00 pm Game ends with Josh having sat on bench all game apart from one moment when Jon Conway went up for a cross and came down holding his index finger!
10.00pm Out with "the lads", hears small voice in his head...sounds a bit like Bobby Howe..."sorry Chris (Roner) love to stay for another, but i've got a big game tomorrow back in Portland"!....Good boy!!
10.30 pm Bed
Sunday
10.00 am back on Alaska flight to PDX. No cute girl this time just a sweaty "suit" on his way to a service call-out to a small-to-middling technology company in Beaverton.
1.00pm to PGE Park for pre-game pep talk
5.00 Timbers v Milwaukee starts.
7.00 The end of a hectic weekend for the Timbers keeper.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Next Game at PGE Park - Friday 11th
El Paso will be visiting on Friday, KO at 7.05pm. Team Sheet here. No Gavin Wilkinson (red card suspension), still no Jimmy Conway (a prize if you can find him in the stands by the way!!)
El Paso's trio of bad-boys will miss their game in Seattle rather than the game here in Portland so no help there then.
The last time El Paso were here the Timbers scored SIX so let's hope for more of the same tomorrow night.
posted by the timberlog at 2:46 PMEl Paso's trio of bad-boys will miss their game in Seattle rather than the game here in Portland so no help there then.
The last time El Paso were here the Timbers scored SIX so let's hope for more of the same tomorrow night.
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Somoza Signs to Sounders
The Seattle Sounders have announced the signing of former Timbers midfielder Ben Somoza.
Somoza was released back in April and was later reported to have trained with the Sounders. The former U of Washington Huskie was a Timbers college draft pick and started 10 games (played in 12 more as a sub) and scored a single goal for Portland in 2002.
posted by the timberlog at 1:58 PMSomoza was released back in April and was later reported to have trained with the Sounders. The former U of Washington Huskie was a Timbers college draft pick and started 10 games (played in 12 more as a sub) and scored a single goal for Portland in 2002.
Soccer-monkey!
Heavens-forbid this turns into a "look at my kid, isn't she so daaaarrrling" kind of place (you have permission to shoot me dear reader), but I have to point you to the report from last Thursday's game which might have passed you by down there ↓
Yes, I have a new appreciation for "Chainsaw" the monkey!
posted by the timberlog at 11:37 AMYes, I have a new appreciation for "Chainsaw" the monkey!
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Draw for Women's World Cup Set for July 17th
The draw for the 2003 Women's World Cup will take place on Thursday July 17th, 11 am PT at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The draw will place the 16 qualifying teams into 4 groups. Japan and Mexico are currently in the middle of a 2-game playoff to determine the final team.
PGE Park will host the Group D finals on Sept 28th (as a double-header), the quarterfinals between the top 2 teams of Groups C and D on Oct 2nd and the tournament semifinals on Oct 5th.
posted by the timberlog at 5:11 PMPGE Park will host the Group D finals on Sept 28th (as a double-header), the quarterfinals between the top 2 teams of Groups C and D on Oct 2nd and the tournament semifinals on Oct 5th.
Alvarez - Player of the Week
Timbers striker Byron Alvarez was named the A-League's Player of the Week for Week 12 today, for his 3 goal in 20 minute flurry against the vancouver Whitecaps last Thursday. This is only the second time a Timbers player has won the award. McKinley Tennyson was also honored following his 4 goals in a 2002 game against El Paso.
In other news keeper Josh Saunders will rejoin the San Jose Earthquakes for their game Saturday against Colorado. There has been no concrete news so far as to whether Josh will miss any Timbers games while covering for the Earthquakes' Pat Onstad who is on Gold Cup duty for Canada. (The Gold Cup runs from July 12th to July 27th)
posted by the timberlog at 3:46 PMIn other news keeper Josh Saunders will rejoin the San Jose Earthquakes for their game Saturday against Colorado. There has been no concrete news so far as to whether Josh will miss any Timbers games while covering for the Earthquakes' Pat Onstad who is on Gold Cup duty for Canada. (The Gold Cup runs from July 12th to July 27th)
Monday, July 07, 2003
Sancho's Dundee Deal Hits Snag
Former Timber Brent Sancho could miss out on his planned move to Scottish Premier League club Dundee after the clubs boss Jim Duffy discovered that he fell short of the required number of international caps. British work permits are only granted to players who have played in at least 75 per cent of their country's competitive “A” team matches and the country of the applicant must also be ranked 70th or higher by FIFA.
Sancho has played in only five of 13 competitive international matches in the stipulated two-year period prior to the application.
Dundee boss Duffy has been quoted as saying that he will try to reverse the decision on appeal IF Sancho is rejected.
Update:07/08
Brent's appeal to the British Department of Employment goes ahead today.
posted by the timberlog at 12:42 PMSancho has played in only five of 13 competitive international matches in the stipulated two-year period prior to the application.
Dundee boss Duffy has been quoted as saying that he will try to reverse the decision on appeal IF Sancho is rejected.
"There might be an opportunity if we can convince the Home Office that Brent is going to add something to our team and not just come here to take someone else's job away."
Update:07/08
Brent's appeal to the British Department of Employment goes ahead today.
"It's just a matter of having the appeal go positively and then the permit will be granted,"
Sancho said on the weekend from Washington where he will remain before linking up with the Dundee team for their preseason campaign in North Carolina.
Sancho said on the weekend from Washington where he will remain before linking up with the Dundee team for their preseason campaign in North Carolina.
10 Questions (+1) with Fadi Afash
Fadi, Fadi, Fadi !!!!
Find the secrets of Fadi's pre-game ritual!
Find out where Fadi likes to eat in Portland!
All this and more in...
10 Questions (+1) with the Timbers' Fadi Afash for your reading pleasure.
posted by the timberlog at 12:11 PMFind the secrets of Fadi's pre-game ritual!
Find out where Fadi likes to eat in Portland!
All this and more in...
10 Questions (+1) with the Timbers' Fadi Afash for your reading pleasure.
Post 4th of July Round-Up
OK back after the 4th...hope everyone had a good'un.
Former Timber Jake Vaughn has signed a 13-day contract with the Rochester Rhinos. He was on the bench for the Rhinos' game at Toronto on Sunday.
Watch out for an incoming Fadi Afash 10-Questions...soon!
...and maybe a full(er) match report from last Thursday...maybe.
posted by the timberlog at 10:59 AMFormer Timber Jake Vaughn has signed a 13-day contract with the Rochester Rhinos. He was on the bench for the Rhinos' game at Toronto on Sunday.
Watch out for an incoming Fadi Afash 10-Questions...soon!
...and maybe a full(er) match report from last Thursday...maybe.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Timbers 3 - 0 Whitecaps
A hat-trick in the last 17 minutes by "play for nothing" striker and local hero Byron Alvarez stunned the Vancouver Whitecaps in front of a loud thirsty thursday crowd at PGE Park tonight.
The Timbers, so often falling to the bogey team from the north, held their own and had their early chances in the first half, soaked up pressure in the second before Alvarez replaced Afash on 58'.
Winters thru ball on 72' set the speedy Alvarez in on Franks to make it 1-0 Timbers. The Beaverton-Bulldog's shirt coming over his head as he wheeled away towards the beer garden.
On 81' it was Alvarez again and on 90' it was Byron again at the far post to knock in Alcaraz's corner, the shirt off again and the run the length of the field to jump into Josh Saunders' arms!
Class!!
timberlog match report
posted by the timberlog at 10:24 PMThe Timbers, so often falling to the bogey team from the north, held their own and had their early chances in the first half, soaked up pressure in the second before Alvarez replaced Afash on 58'.
Winters thru ball on 72' set the speedy Alvarez in on Franks to make it 1-0 Timbers. The Beaverton-Bulldog's shirt coming over his head as he wheeled away towards the beer garden.
On 81' it was Alvarez again and on 90' it was Byron again at the far post to knock in Alcaraz's corner, the shirt off again and the run the length of the field to jump into Josh Saunders' arms!
Class!!
timberlog match report
Portland v Vancouver
Tonight's game still sees Timbers assistant coach Jimmy Conway missing from the bench after his 6 game suspension for what was officially listed as a "Referee Assault". Gavin Wilkinson will sit out the 7/11 game against El Paso after his red card in the Calagry game. Adam Wilson's sore achilles tendon may be on the mend...we'll believe he exists when we see him!
Aaron Heinzen and Bryn Ritchie are both a single heavy tackle away from a 1-game suspension for yellow card points accumulation.
Rumblings from San Jose Earthquakes' fans after Pat Onsted called up for Canada's Gold Cup squad. They want Josh Saunders back to cover in mid July....but they can't have him!!!!! Ha!
posted by the timberlog at 11:37 AMAaron Heinzen and Bryn Ritchie are both a single heavy tackle away from a 1-game suspension for yellow card points accumulation.
Rumblings from San Jose Earthquakes' fans after Pat Onsted called up for Canada's Gold Cup squad. They want Josh Saunders back to cover in mid July....but they can't have him!!!!! Ha!
A whole lot of shouting going on!
"I've never seen Bobby more animated or passionate in my three years here. No one who has ever been on a Timbers roster has been as disgraced as they were that game"
Jim Taylor on the aftermath of the May 27th 0 - 3 loss to Minnesota
Catch up time
...always catch up time here at timberlog-acres but here goes:
Kick 'em in the Balls
Portland Mercury bit about the Shed
The Byron Alvarez "travesty".
Timbers forward plays for free due to INS/DHS decision denying P-1 visas to A-League players
Debts may send Beavers (and Timbers) packing
"Metropolitan Sports hasn't paid the city a cent for rent and fees since April 2002 and will owe more than $1.5 million if it misses a payment deadline Monday."
Timbers 1 - 0 Calgary
Calgary 0 - 2 Timbers
Vancouver 1 - 0 Timbers
posted by the timberlog at 11:25 AMKick 'em in the Balls
Portland Mercury bit about the Shed
The Byron Alvarez "travesty".
Timbers forward plays for free due to INS/DHS decision denying P-1 visas to A-League players
Debts may send Beavers (and Timbers) packing
"Metropolitan Sports hasn't paid the city a cent for rent and fees since April 2002 and will owe more than $1.5 million if it misses a payment deadline Monday."
Timbers 1 - 0 Calgary
Calgary 0 - 2 Timbers
Vancouver 1 - 0 Timbers
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Women's World Cup Tickets On Sale
Tickets for the Women's World Cup games to be held at PGE Park went on sale today. Tickets can be purchased through www.fifaworldcup.com and range from $75 to $305. The tickets are packages for games on all 3 dates - Sept 28th, Oct 2nd and Oct 5th.
PGE Park will have temporary bleachers on the south, east and west sides (in what is normally the Widmer Beer garden) in addition to the normal 100-level and 200-level seating.
Ticket prices are:
200 level stadium seating $75, $107, $149
Southend Bleachers $75
East Bleachers $149, $205, $305
West Bleachers $205, $305
100 level stadium seating $75,$107, $149, $205, $305
posted by the timberlog at 12:27 PMPGE Park will have temporary bleachers on the south, east and west sides (in what is normally the Widmer Beer garden) in addition to the normal 100-level and 200-level seating.
Ticket prices are:
200 level stadium seating $75, $107, $149
Southend Bleachers $75
East Bleachers $149, $205, $305
West Bleachers $205, $305
100 level stadium seating $75,$107, $149, $205, $305
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Timbers Release Spiteri
The Portland Timbers have released keeper Curtis Spiteri from his contract. The former Pilot started all but 2 games for the Timbers before leaving on a trial at Karlsruher S.C. of the German Second Division.
In other news forward Byron Alvarez and goalkeeper Josh Saunders were named to the A-League Team of the Week for their accomplishments in two matches vs. the Calgary Storm in Week 11.
posted by the timberlog at 5:01 PM"The timing of Spiteri's trial in Germany couldn't have come at worse time," said Timbers G.M. Jim Taylor. "A good number of player contracts become guaranteed effective July 1 through the remainder of the season and we weren't in a position to carry three 'keepers. We certainly appreciate his contributions this year and hope that things will work out for him in Germany."
In other news forward Byron Alvarez and goalkeeper Josh Saunders were named to the A-League Team of the Week for their accomplishments in two matches vs. the Calgary Storm in Week 11.