The Timbers made another friendly announcement today, Club Deportivo Atlas of Guadalajara, Mexico – one of Portland’s sister cities, will play the Timbers Sunday July 11th at PGE Park. Some of the proceeds from this match will fund the construction of a sustainable education based center in Guadalajara.
The front office has already lined up matches with a Costa Rican club, Argentinian club, and an English side. There is also rumor that they are in the works on a fifth friendly to top it it off.
From the front office...
Founded in 1916, Atlas is one of the oldest clubs in Mexico. Its storied history includes three second-division titles, four Copa Mexico titles and the Primera División championship in 1950-51. Atlas, based in Guadalajara, has recently placed itself among Mexico’s top clubs, competing in the prestigious Copa Libertadores tournament twice in the past 10 years (2000, 2008). Atlas was also selected to participate in the 2009 Superliga, a tournament pitting top Mexican clubs against top teams from Major League Soccer.
Also known as the “Rojinegro” or “The Red and Black,” Atlas’ roster includes several rising players for the Mexican National Team, including defender Néstor Vidrio, who was the 2008 Clausura Rookie of the Year and a member of the Mexico U-20 National Team in 2009, and recent Mexican National Team call-ups in defender Hugo Ayala and midfielder Edgar Pacheco. The club also features long-time former Mexican National Team striker Daniel Osorno.
With the Timbers' recent problems, do you think their performance against Boca Juniors will matter, or is it just another friendly?
Drop of the Day is where we ask you to give your opinion. Please respond in the comments.
The Timbers are in the middle of a loooong break (and we saw what happened after their last break), so I think this match is actually pretty important, even though it doesn't count towards their record.
ReplyDeleteI want to see the Timbers score. Would love to see them pour it on and put 3 plus in the back of the net. That and some solid D, would give the team and supporters a much needed confidence boost.
ReplyDeleteIts a friendly though, so who knows what will happen? I liked seeing the non-regulars get solid playing time in the Costa Rica match.
I think it will be irrelevant, but then I've never cared much for friendlies.
ReplyDeleteI think Gavin will have the starting XI out there on Saturday because they've been so bad lately. It's still another week before the next league game after Saturday so there's no real issue with resting players.
ReplyDeleteJust having some guys put the ball in the back of the net would be good for Portland, friendly or not. I do look forward to it, and I agree that Gavin will put out a competitive side- he may even test out a new starting lineup.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Gavin puts out the lineup he's got. This needs to show that they can play great football.
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