The final regular season match up between the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps as Division-2 league franchises ended in a highly competitive and exciting 2-2 draw. The Timbers (13-7-10, 49 pts) and the Whitecaps (10-5-15, 45 pts) finish their final regular seasons in 4th place and 5th place respectively in the overall league table, and will now meet in the first round of the playoffs. With all the drama of a big-time UFC Championship Bout, both teams brought their best shots in what was a physical and good-spirited soccer match.

Behind a game-winning goal in stoppage time by midfielder Kalif Alhassan, the Portland Timbers escaped Puerto Rico with a narrow 1-0 victory, as the team continues its push towards the playoffs. With 2 games left in the regular season, the Timbers (12-7-9) are currently riding an eight-match unbeaten streak and have tallied 4 consecutive shutouts, further solidifying their 4th place position in the overall league standings. Portland has put together its best run of soccer during the streak.

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With the season winding down and facing four difficult road games before the playoffs, the Portland Timbers knew it’d be important to start their road trip off with a bang. Well, there certainly was some banging going on at Carolina’s Wakemed Park Saturday evening. And a whole lot of bumping and bruising too. The Timbers played the Carolina Railhawks to a scoreless draw in what was a tough and physical contest. A match that saw 30 total fouls whistled between both teams, including 4 yellow cards, 3 of those cautions given to Portland. Still, the Timbers survived a feisty defensive battle and their unbeaten streak remained intact as well. The club is now unbeaten in their last 7 matches with a record of 7-2-5 in their last 13 games played.

Another 90 minutes, another draw
After over 180 minutes of spirited competition between Portland and Carolina this year nothing has … Read the rest

The Timbers celebrate with the fans after the match, the last game at PGE Park.

A special night and a special moment, and with the stars in alignment for a momentous occasion, the Timbers were able to pull through in truly dramatic fashion defeating Puerto Rico 1-0 Thursday evening. On a night which marked the last soccer game to be played at PGE Park (before renovations begin), the franchise was able to celebrate its 1 millionth fan in attendance since 2001. The sellout crowd of 15,418, the team’s 5th sellout of the year, witnessed an important and memorable moment in Timber’s history. An emotional evening for players, coaches, and fans alike; it exemplified why Portland has earned the moniker of Soccer City USA. Simply put, you can’t fake moments like this.

“It was great. The support has been amazing all year, especially tonight.” Said forward Doug DeMartin. “Our fans are … Read the rest

Game Recaps Timbers v Baltimore
Dropping timber – Showing Baltimore Who’s Boss, Timbers win 3-0
Timber Mill - Timbers outclass Crystal Palace Baltimore in comfortable 3-0 win
Offsides – Game 25: Timbers 3 – Palace 0
Oregon Live – Portland 3, Baltimore 0: Timbers’ game starts to crystallize
Oregon Live – Offensive changes pay dividends for Timbers attack
Timbers – Timbers shut out Crystal Palace Baltimore 3-0
KGW – Timbers rout Baltimore 3-0 in front of 15K plus fans

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Portland celebrates at “home plate” during their blowout win over Baltimore

The Portland Timbers made a statement and got a taste of redemption Sunday evening. In front of 15,418 at PGE Park, the Timbers (10-7-8, 38pts) put a beating on Baltimore from start to finish – a bottom-dwelling USSF team that had gotten the best of them twice already this season. With the victory, the 4th place Timbers further solidified their spot in the standings and sent a message about the quality of soccer this team is capable of playing on a given night.

“From front to back,” Said Coach Gavin Wilkinson, “We were at a different level. Some of the best football I’ve seen here in the last 2 years. The ball speed, the movement off the ball, the runs made out of the middle of the pack, the runs made up front – it was exciting.”

The Timbers … Read the rest

The Portland Timbers (9-7-8, 35pts) played the Austin Aztex (13-3-6, 45pts) to a 1-1 draw in an emotionally charged match that would see a flurry of fouls, eight yellow cards, and multiple ejections, including one for the opposing team’s manager. Despite a chaotic ending that would see a bit of controversy and a red card booking for midfielder Rodrigo Lopez, Portland would play a majority of the 2nd half with a man advantage yet was unable to find the game-winning goal. With the draw, the Timbers will remain in 4th place in the overall standings, and have 6 games left in the season with a tough Carolina Railhawks team only one point behind them.

An interesting and exciting match, the Timbers would open the scoring just 4-minutes into the 1st half, a misplaced ball by an Aztex defender would lead to a break away up the sideline for forward … Read the rest

http://www.youtube.com/user/DroppingTimber… Read the rest

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The Portland Timbers (9-7-7, 34pts) have now taken over sole possession of 4th place in the overall league standings with a 1-0 win over the NCS Minnesota Stars on Saturday evening. The Timbers went undefeated on their 2-game road trip, starting with a 1-0 win against AC St Louis last weekend and with the playoffs just over a month away, this could signal the start of the team gathering some real momentum before the season finishes.

A physical and intensely contested game, both sides played like they knew what was at stake. 28 fouls were committed in total by both clubs, a handful of yellow cards, and a red card that would eventually decide the game. For much of the 1st half, Minnesota would control the possession and tempo of the match, outshooting Portland 6-2 and creating the more dangerous opportunities. The Timbers would show some life near the end … Read the rest