PGE Park Renovations Latest Pictures

Our elite reporter, brings you more stadium porn. Thank you and congratulations to Double B and AP.

Timbers Sign Midfielder James Marcelin

The Timbers added to their roster today by signing Haitian national team player James Marcelin. The 6'2 midfielder played for the Puerto Rico Islanders past two seasons, making 22 appearances. The Timbers press release has the full bio on Marcelin. All I really need to know about James came from the video below, tune in at 1:35 and see Marcelin make a quick pass and then sprint down the field to score. The man is fast, very fast.

marcelin

Timbers to Face Seattle in "Community Shield" Charity Match

Portland Timbers Vs. Seattle Sounders

Thursday, March 11th
Qwest Field 6:00 PM

Get your tickets now at ticket master

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.

Portland MLS 2011

Know thy Enemy - AC St. Louis

AC St. Louis will play its inaugural season this year in the Second Division. St. Louis has a long and rich history of teams and players, but has been without a professional side for some time. The name AC St. Louis is homage to the Missouri Athletic Club, which has helped promote soccer in the region for over 100 years.

In 2008 St. Louis Athletica formed to play in the Woman's Professional Soccer League and this helped jump start the mens side. The teams will play at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park, a large sports complex, with a main field capable of holding 6,000 spectators. You may know this complex best as part of failed bid attempt for a MLS expansion team.

AC St. Louis is hitting the ground running with a signature first player future Hall of Famer and hometown kid, Steve Ralston from New England Revolution aka Saint Steve of Foxboro. Ralston has played in every season of the MLS's existence and holds the all time record for the MLS in assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372) and minutes played (33,143) and throw in the U.S. record for professional appearances at 412.These stats don't build up because you're neat, they build through fighting to play. At 36, Ralston looks old, but he is a bull that will provide a threat for a new fangled team. The fans of the game in Stl, know they are getting some love with this pickup . In addition to playing, he will also serve as an assistant coach.

The team's website features a nifty animation with ACDC for those about to rock for music.
AC St. Louis Fanatic - Unofficial Blog
A detailed history or soccer in St. Louis by Dave Litterer.

Portland Timbers and AC St Louis 2010 Match ups

• April 22nd, 7:00PM at PGE Park
• May 15th, 7:00PM at PGE Park
• July 28th, TBA at St Louis
• August 14th, TBA at St Louis
  

Timber Bits - Keita Team of the Week Honor

Mandjou Keita Keeps Doing his Thing
Mandjou Keita is making his mark in the I-league as he received honorable mention for I-League Team of the Week Honors. He has scored four goals in five matches of regular season play. Salgaocar is currently in 12th place out of 15 teams, this has resulted in the head coach Tim Hankinson being sacked, as Salgaocar flirts with relegation. See the full list of I-League Team of Week Players at goal.com

Timbers Returning in 2011 (To the best of our knowledge)

• Johan Claesson (midfielder)
• Steve Cronin (goalkeeper)
• Mamadou Danso (defender)
• Brian Farber (midfielder)
• George Josten (forward)
• Stephen Keel (defender)
• Mandjou Keita (forward)
• Cameron Knowles (defender)
• Rodrigo Lopez (midfielder)
  
• Tony McManus (midfielder)
• Takuro Nishimura (defender)
• Ryan Pore (forward)
• Keith Savage (midfielder)
• Takayuki Suzuki (forward)
• and don't forget the first pick up of the off season Quavas Kirk (midfielder)

1 Goalkeeper
4 Defenders
6 Midfielders
5 Forwards
15 Total

Check out local blogger Mao's Football for some World Cup kit leaks.

2010 Portland Timbers Schedule

The regular schedule for 2010 was released today. The first game of the regular season at PGE park will be Saturday, April 17th at 7:00PM against the Rochester Rhinos. The Timbers will play an exhibition match for charity next Wednesday February 17th, against the Portland Pilots. It is part of a preseason mini camp, for returning players and trialists hoping to make the 2010 roster. It should be a great first glimpse of the 2010 team, at $7 it is bargain and the game will be played at Merlo Field, the home of the University of Portland Pilots. All proceeds from the match will go to the very awesome Mercy Corps.


Preseason Schedule so far
2/17 Wednesday - Portland Pilots at Merlo Field
3/11 Thursday - Seattle Flounders at Qwest Field
3/20 Saturday - San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Field

Some additional links...
2010 USSF Division II Schedule - PDF file
2010 Timbers Schedule Google Calender
Additional Timbers Schedule Info from portlandtimbers.com
More about the Feb. 17th exhibition match from portlandtimbers.com
Read Oregon Live's Kip Kesgard take on the 2010 schedule