• Carolina and Montreal fought to a 1-1 tie at Saputo Stadium, bringing the Timbers magic number down to 9.
• Puerto Rico picked up a win over Minnesota, keeping them in contention for the commissioner’s cup.
• Rochester’s tie against the Whitecaps made it mathematically impossible for them to take the top spot. The race is now officially down to four teams.

… Read the rest

Portland Timbers

VS
Charleston Battery

For the team’s last contest in August, the Timbers will take on the Battery in Charleston, where they look to push their historic streak to 24 matches Unbeaten. A lot will be on the line at Blackbaud Stadium Friday night, as both teams are hoping to claim this year’s Commissioner’s Cup, awarded to the club that finishes the year atop of the USL standings.

Currently, there are streaks within The Big Streak, so to speak. The 1st place Timber’s are also riding a 5 match winning streak, exploding for 12 goals in those games, a stretch in which the team’s play on the pitch has been splendid, their confidence visibly rising with every victory. On… Read the rest

If the playoffs were held today, here are the top seven teams that would be in:


Portland is the only team to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The top five teams are still mathematically able to take the top spot (with Rochester being a very long shot), but Portland is emerging as a slight favorite.

Let’s take a look at the remaining schedules of the top four teams.

Portland and Charleston have the easiest remaining schedules. With four games remaining in PGE Park, and four more games against the bottom of the league, the Timbers have a huge opportunity to hold on to the top spot.

Portland’s magic # for the Commissioner’s Cup is 13. If they can get 13 more points from their remaining games, they will guarantee the top spot. If Carolina misses any points by getting a tie or a loss in their next game, that… Read the rest

Points
Mandjou Keita, 28, #1 in USL
Ryan Pore, 20, #2 in USL (tie)
George Josten, 10, #15 in USL (tie)
Brian Farber, 10, #15 in USL (tie)

Goals
Mandjou Keita, 11, #1 in USL
Ryan Pore, 9, #2 in USL (tie)

Assists
Mandjou Keita, 6, #1 in USL (tie)
David Hayes, 4, #4 in USL (tie)

Shots
Mandjou Keita, 54, #3 in USL
Ryan Pore, 53, #4 in USL

Goalkeeper Wins
Steve Cronin, 13, #1 in USL

Goals Allowed
Steve Cronin, 13, #7 in USL

Shutouts
Steve Cronin, 8, #4 in USL

Saves
Steve Cronin, 72, #5 in USL

Goals Allowed per Appearance
Steve Cronin, 0.594, #3 in USL

… Read the rest

Watch his five goals:

VS
Miami FC Blues 7:00 PM Saturday, August 22nd

The Timber’s 22 game unbeaten streak marches into a Saturday evening match at PGE Park against bottom dwelling Miami FC Blues. Portland is at the top of league and the top of their game after a 4-1 crushing of Rochester last Saturday. Ryan Pore is on a terror with a 5 game goal scoring streak and the Timbers are 10-0-0 when scoring in the first half.

The Blues horrible goal scoring is obviously their biggest problem, they have only scored 19 goals in 21 games. Compare that to Portland’s 37 goals in 23 games and you get the picture. The league’s teams have had no problem finding the back of Miami’s net some 29 times, that is over twice as many… Read the rest

The Timbers signed Mexican-American midfielder Rodrigo López. Chivas USA signed Lopez in 2005 when he was only 18, he saw little playing time in a three year stint. The now 22 year old midfielder has been playing for Querétaro of Mexico’s top professional Primera Division and most recently for the USL’s Premier Develop League Ventura County Fusion. López was a guest player in Portland’s 2-2 match with Burnley back in July and he impressed with a late free kick goal (video below). The Timber’s roster now stands at 25 players with a August 28th roster freeze deadline. The big question will be how much playing time, if any will Lopez see in this Saturday’s match with Miami.