And so it begins again on Sunday

By: Bob Kellett | June 25th, 2009

By the time they take the pitch at 5pm on Sunday the Portland Timbers will have had eight days off since their last game, a 5-1 drubbing of the Minnesota Thunder. Eight days off is roughly the same as 3.75 dog lives in the USL First Division. Witness the four games in seven days that are to follow.

Sunday’s match is against the Montreal Impact (5-4-2, 17pts), a club that has won its past three league games since falling to Portland (6-1-5, 23pts) 1-0 back on June 4 at PGE Park. You’ll recall that it took a Keith Savage goal in the 90th minute to lift the Timbers to victory in a game in which they outshot the Impact 19-2. You may also recall that the game against the Impact was the last time that Ryan Pore was on the pitch for the good guys. After sitting out a few games, he is back in the fold along with midfield mate Tony McManus, forward Antouman Jallow and defender Takuro Nishimura.

Amen

Lest you think that you only have one game to think about on Sunday, let you be reminded that the Portland Timbers U23s are also doing their thing. What is unique is that their thing is being sponsored by the Timbers Army. Proceeds will go to all those crazy banners you see in the north end as well as to a deserving local charity. You’d be stupid not to show up for the 1pm kickoff against the much hated Vancouver Whitecaps Residency team. The U23s have scored 28 goals in 10 games. That, my amigos, is the definition of offensive footy. The Forest Grove News-Times is on the story.

You’ll be excused if show up a tad late, however, since the U.S. national team faces Brazil in the Confederations Cup final starting at 11:30 in the morning. I have no clue where the masses will be meeting to watch this one, but I imagine it will be at one of the venues near the stadium and I imagine a good time will be had by all.

Sunday it is. I’ll be making a guest appearance and will even do my best to churn out a match report of sorts following the fun.

Last man standing wins.

Photo: Alex McDougall