Game Preview: Season Resumes with Carolina on Sunday

Portland Timbers

VS

Carolina Railhawks

Sunday, June 6th
6pm @ PGE Park
Radio on 95.5 The Game
TV on FSN
Streaming Online at Portlandtimbers.com

After two weeks off from league action, the Portland Timbers will face the Carolina Railhawks for the first time this season as the Railhawks come to PGE Park for a 6pm kickoff tomorrow evening. The Timbers (3-3-2) have had their struggles recently, winless in their last four matches, and losing their last league match on the road to Baltimore 2-1. The Timbers are coming off an emotional exhibition victory against Boca Juniors last weekend and hope to use some of that momentum to get them back on the right track. During their extended break, Portland has dropped into a 3-way tie for 5th place overall in the USSF and are also tied for 4th in their respective USL conference. The top 2 teams from each conference make the playoffs, as well as the 3rd-8th place USSF teams regardless of conference standing.

Starting Sunday, Portland will have a flurry of games, playing 3 matches in 7 days. It will be a good test for the team, to see where they stand currently, to see how they've improved in their time off, and to see how they'll respond to all the early season adversity. The keys for a Portland victory will lie in their ability to attack efficiently, maintain a level of high intensity, and aggressively finish their chances to score. Defensively, the Timbers will need to stay focused and play a full 90 minute games, something they've struggled with this season, with momentary mental lapses and breakdowns resulting in costly goals. Better play out of the midfield will be essential. Everything starts from the midfield and the Timbers need center midfielders, Johan Claesson and James Marcelin, to play with more consistency and create opportunities upfront. Can the Timbers not only dominate the game on the field, but also dominate the game on the scoreboard? Who will step up for Portland?

Somebody will need to. Carolina is a hot opponent coming off two big road wins against Montreal and Puerto Rico, and they'll be looking to make another statement against the Timbers at PGE Park. Coming off a successful 2009 campaign, which saw the team finish 2nd overall, Carolina entered this season as one of the favorites to compete for a league title. They've overcome some early season struggles and have scored 6 goals in their last 3 matches. Although the Railhawks lost some key members from their 20o9 roster, management went out and filled in the gaps with quality talent and the team really seems to be rolling now. Carolina (3-2-2) is tied for 5th place overall with 11 points. Expect them to be around near the end after all the dust settles.

Players to Watch
Etienne Barbara - The man from Malta is in his first year with Carolina and he's leading them in scoring so far with 4 goals. A pretty big and strong striker, Barbara brings with him some international experience and has shown an ability to score the ball in the past. The Timber's defense will have to find him early and stay with him at all times.

Daniel Paladini - The veteran Midfielder was the Railhawks 2009 player of the year as well as a 1st team all-USL selection. Paladini will see a lot of action on the field and is the type of player that finds or creates action out on the field also. An aggressive player with a good foot, Paladini has already scored 1 goal so far this season.

Mark Schulte - A solid defender and team captain, Schulte will anchor the Carolina defense. The 2nd team all-USL member brings a lot of experience with him in his 4th season of USL play and his second with Carolina. Age hasn't slowed down the 32 year old however, as Schulte has appeared in every game for Carolina this season. The Railhawks depend on him for steady and consistent play.

*** WIN A FREE BLANKET! The first 2,000 fans who enter into PGE Park will receive a free Timber's fleece blanket courtesy of NW Metro Kia. A fleece blanket? Perfect for the upcoming summer!

*** KIDS SUNDAY! 1-hour before kickoff all kids eat free! I wonder if there's an age restriction.... or if you're just a "kid at heart" does that earn you a free hot dog? (Sadly, it's age 12 and under)

*** FREE COOKIES! If the Timbers win then everyone in attendance gets coupon for a free cookie. Cookies are yummy, but a Timbers victory would be truly delicious!