GAME PREVIEW - Timbers Take On 1st Place Charleston Battery

Portland Timbers (5-1-4, 19 pts)

VS

Charleston Battery (6-0-5, 23 pts)

Saturday, June 13th

4:30 PST

Webcast: USL Live - watch it FREE online!

Radio: 95.5 The Game

GAME PREVIEW - Can anobody beat the Battery this season? Still without a loss after eleven league games, opponents have barely been able to score on the Battery - a league leading 3 Goals Against. The Timbers take their 9 game unbeaten streak into Blackbaud Stadium, have only given up 4 goals all season, and currently sit 3rd in the standings. These are the two hottest teams in the USL. The return of a few key players for the Battery, including midfielder Ian Fuller and Jamaican defender O’Brian Woodbine, are reasons for concern for Portland.

BATTERY KEY PLAYERS

Tsuyoshi Yoshitake - Yoshitake, a quality midfielder, returns from injury this week after a pulled hamstring kept him out 3 games. He scored a goal Tuesday in Charleston's 2-0 victory over Atlanta FC.

Tyler Hemming - The young British midfielder and former MLS product has been impressive recently, assisting on both Battery goals last Friday en route to earning Player of the Week honors.

Dusty Hudock - Simply the best keeper in the USL this year - leads the league with 8 shutouts.

TIMBER'S KEY PLAYERS

Stephen Keel - The Timber's defensive leader is going to have his hands full this Saturday. The team needs his size and phsyical play to wear down the Battery attackers, hopefully his experience will shine through.

Alex Nimo - The Timbers youngest player (age 19) has been showing flashes lately, starting and playing all match during the Timbers tie with Carolina, also leading the team with three shots on goal. The Timber's will need his touch and creativity with the ball if they hope to put pressure on the Battery defense.

Ryan Pore - A big key to winning the game will be controlling the midfield. Pore leads the team in points and a high intensity level from him is a must.

KEY TO THE GAME - The Timbers need to score first and score early, something they've had success with in recent weeks. An early lead will put pressure on the Battery at home, hopefully forcing them to play tight and over reach on offense. It's the BIGGEST game of the season - GO TIMBERS!