From the Timbers Front Office

The Portland Timbers will face Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC in a preseason match Thursday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash., it was announced today. The Northwest rivals meet in Seattle’s inaugural “Community Shield” match.

Tickets for the event, priced at $10 for adults and $5 for youth (6-17), go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. through area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Children under the age of six are free.

Start making plans now. … Read the rest

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The Red Bull Arena will host its first game this March, in delays that would make PGE Park deal look like child’s play. City politic delays and a change of club ownership may have eaten up time, but it has led to an impressive stadium that is similar to modern designs around the world. The mostly transparent roof will extend to the touchlines allowing natural sunlight in, while protecting the crowd from the elements. Capacity will be at just over 25,000, at a cost of $180 million. The site is in Harrison, New Jersey is about 10 miles out of NYC. While it is not in NYC, it is easily accessible by train as can be seen in this video of some season ticket holders picking out their seats.New York Red Bulls first MLS game in the new stadium will be March 27th against the Chicago Fire. The MLS’s … Read the rest

2 minutes from time Roma’s Stefano Okaka gives a little back heel for the win.
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Burnley vs. Chelsea is live right now on the Fox Soccer Channel (401 on Comcast). Burnley can move out of the bottom three with a win against #1 Chelsea today. After a promising start, The Clarets have been struggling most of the season, so we’re hoping they can avoid relegation.

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Things are really starting to get moving for the upcoming season. The Timbers continue the process of assembling a roster as they ready themselves for their debut in the USSF 2nd Division aka the USL/NASL arranged marriage league. The 2-day Open tryouts were held this weekend. Video highlights from those sessions are posted below – check it out and see if you can find any diamonds in the rough. Apparently the Timbers were impressed enough by forward Limam Sedyi to give him another look.

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Seen on the Soccer City boards:

As you may be aware, I am running for reelection as City Commissioner and my opponents have criticized my support to bring Major League Soccer to Portland. That Said, I could use some Timbers style support at the upcoming “Candidate Olympiad.” Event is free! Logistics below:

· What: Candidate Olympiad – event sponsored by the Portland Mercury and the Bus Project

· When: Thursday, January 28th – 7:00pm

· Where: Backspace – 115 NW 5th Ave (between Davis and Couch)

For some reason this prompted anti-everything-Portland blogger Jack Bog to complain that Saltzman is “pandering” to the “hooligans”.

If you want to hear a funny response to this douche, check out the pdxsucks podcast (skip to about -36:00 to find the relevant part).… Read the rest

Scot Thompson has put up a ton of Timbers gear for auction on his Facebook Page. All the money raised will be donated to help the people of Haiti recover from their devastating earthquake. This is a chance to get some really great gear and help those in need. The auction ends this Friday.
Direct Link to the Gear… Read the rest