Ray Burse shuttling between Portland and Dallas

By: Bob Kellett | April 1st, 2008

It looks like Ray Burse will be earning some of those drink coupons on Southwest Airlines. The keeper on loan to the Timbers from FC Dallas will be jetting back and forth between the two clubs this week. The word from the Official FC Dallas blog:

Meanwhile, Ray Burse was back at practice this morning on the adidas Field at PHP. He’ll return to Portland for a preseason game this weekend, before flying to Houston on Saturday afternoon to be available for Sunday’s game between FCD and Houston.

I guess the fact that he is flying back to Portland to take part in the relatively meaningless scrimmages at the Clive on Saturday is an indication that Burse might stick around a little while longer. Can he do this for 6-8 weeks while Josh Lambo is sucking his food through a straw?

If you look at the Timbers schedule through mid-May, they play:

Thursday, April 17
Thursday, April 24
Saturday, April 26
Thursday, May 8
Saturday, May 10

A look at the FC Dallas schedule shows games:

Sunday, April 20
Thursday, April 24
Saturday, May 3
Saturday, May 10

Two of the game days conflict, but I guess it is conceivable he could shuttle between cities for the other games. Not exactly an ideal situation having your starting keeper missing training and sitting on planes a couple days of the week, but one that could be a reality for the start of the season.

I hope he is worth the carbon emissions.

Category: Player News

Tags: Goal Keepers, Player News, Portland Timbers, Ray Burse

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Comments  

• harmsway01 |  April 1st, 2008 at 4:23 pm

  
  
  

  If this is true, then I hope the team cans the loan. That is not a good situation flying your keeper in on gameday. No training with the club does not sound good in my mind.

  Posted from United States

  

• wise |  April 1st, 2008 at 4:58 pm

  
  
  

  sounds absolutely daft. but, the comment in the FCD blog says they may pursue a short-term signing as allowed by league rules. in that case, maybe there will be just a couple weeks of shuffling and he can settle down with the boys in green. that’s the outcome i’m hoping for, at least.

  Posted from United States

  

• Mike |  April 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm

  
  
  

  It may work having having him back in April but I don’t see it working at all in May, considering he’ll probably play for FC Dallas on the conflicting.

  Posted from United States

  

• Injuries! Get your Injuries! « Nasty Challenge |  April 1st, 2008 at 8:09 pm | Pingback

  
  
  

  [...] pretty rough thus far for MLS athletes, especially when they can be connected to the Timbers.  Ray Burse who was back with his official club FC Dallas this weekend and may have to commute for a bit [...]

  Posted from United States

  

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