Portland Timbers face Monarcas Morelia

By: Bob Kellett | July 3rd, 2008

It is exhibition futbol time at PGE Park with the Portland Timbers facing Monarcas Morelia on Thursday evening. While the powers that be will tell you this game is about competition and putting on a good show for the fans, etc, etc, the reality is this is about the bottom line. It is about the club making a little scratch to offset the scratch that it loses playing USL-1 games. Nothing wrong with that. It is a business after all. By all indications tonight will be good for the business. The Oregonian reports that the Timbers are expecting a crowd in excess of 12,000. There will be many folks in attendance that have never stepped foot inside the stadium before. Many won’t come back, but some might. And that is always the promise of these friendlies. I’m not sure how that promise can be fulfilled, but a festive atmosphere, decent game and some marketing follow up wouldn’t hurt.

Knighton in Shining Armor
New keeper Brad Knighton in the Trib:

Knighton spoke on the phone Tuesday with Portland coach/General Manager Gavin Wilkinson, who was eager to have him as a replacement for Ray Burse, the previous Timber starter recently recalled by injury-plagued FC Dallas.

“From what I’ve been told, I’m the starter here the rest of the season,” Knighton says.

I really hope he means that he’s been told that he will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job and that he hasn’t been handed the position without even appearing in a game or practicing with the team. I also hope it means that if he turns out to be a dud that starting job promise is revoked.

Just in time for the friendlies
From the Columbian (which hasn’t printed anything about the Timbers since the season opener):

Wilkinson remains optimistic about this Timbers team, and believes its best soccer is ahead of it. One reason for that optimism: His roster is healing. On Tuesday, every player on the roster practiced for the first time in months.

We are going to win the exhibition league for sure!

The Timbers haven’t lost a home friendly in the modern era
2008 – Timbers 1-0 Juventus Primavera, 8,135 in attendance

2007 – Timbers 1-0 Club Necaxa, 7,761
– Timbers 1-1 (4-1 PKs) AC Milan U-21, 11,092
– Timbers 2-1 Preston North End, 8,238
– Timbers 4-1 Toronto FC, 6,614

2006 – Timbers 1-1 (4-3 PKs) Coventry City, 10,985

2005 – Timbers 0-0 Sunderland, 15,376

Being Gavin Wilkinson
That wasn’t thunder last night. That was my head exploding at the thought of the Timbers boss playing his starting XI in a meaningless exhibition. If I were in charge, I wouldn’t start anyone who has logged more than 1,000 minutes this season. They play enough games during the regular season. Give them the night off. I am not in charge and I don’t doubt that Wilkinson is going to play his first team tonight and his reserves on Sunday when these teams play again in Seattle.

Knighton
S. Thompson Knowles J. Thompson Griffin
Guante Brown Higgins Little
Suzuki Bagley

Not sure why I am going with Little and leaving Olum out of the lineup, but that is what my direct line to Gavin’s brain is telling me.

Game Previews

Timbers players hope to make most of time against Mexican team (The Columbian)

Texas native stars for Morelia (Portland Tribune)

Spend your First Thursday with the Timbers (Dave Knows: Portland)

Timbers Battle Mexico’s Morelia Thursday at PGE Park (Portland Timbers)

Postgame coverage
My home computer is still out of action and there is no way I am coming into to work during a holiday weekend so I am not going to provide you with a written match report. If you do come to the Bullpen after the match and supply me with a cerveza I’ll give you an oral report.

Photo: A crowd in excess of 15,000 was on hand at PGE Park to watch the Portland Timbers and Sunderland play to a 0-0 draw in 2005. Allison Andrews/Soccer City USA