Portland Timbers Face Rochester Rhinos

By: Bob Kellett | May 14th, 2009

It’s like being in college all over again. The weekend begins on Thursday evening and the party doesn’t end until Sunday. It is a busy weekend ahead for soccer fans in Portland. The Timbers (1-1-2, 4pts) take on the Rochester Rhinos (3-1-1, 10pts) at 8pm on Thirsty Thursday. The game will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel. The Timbers U23s play a pair of US Open Cup qualifiers at home on Friday and Saturday. The senior side’s match against Rochester should give us a better idea of how this squad stacks up in the USL First Division. They face a veteran laden Rhinos team that enters the match having won three in a row on the road. Rochester has always played well at PGE Park, earning a 3-1-1 record in games played in Portland. The Rhinos play in Vancouver later in the weekend so expect them to come out strong early against Portland in an effort to steal some road points from their Northwest trip.

This headline looks familiar
Timbers try to get more offensive

Remarkably similar to the Timbers look more to attack article penned a few weeks ago.

With those headlines, is it any wonder….
…a forward named Warren Ukah is on trial. Just call us West Atlanta. Here are some of his highlights.

Microphone check, one, two, what is this?
The Timbers Army radio is on the air.

We have a consultant!
While the blathering about baseball stadiums and such continues, Merritt Paulson has made his first MLS hire. Former Blazers exec Mike Golub is helping out the 2011 show.

Put on your sunglasses
And check out Rochester’s official website. Mine eyes have seen the glory.

Being Gavin Wilkinson
Cleveland. Now there is a team that knows how to play soccer. Defense, defense, defense. Stay behind the ball. Protege Rod has done well. Of course, we’re doing even better. One goal allowed in four fuckastic games. Have I mentioned that we are unbeaten in the past three games? Goals? Who needs them? We’re the most entertaining team in the world. Too bad the boss is too busy with Randy and pals to do my first quarter evaluation. This starting lineup against Rochester will surely help me get a raise.

Cronin
Thompson Knowles Keel Hayes
Farber Claesson McManus Pore
Keita Suzuki

Savage will come in early in the second half and Nimo is our super sub to put in the game winner.

Guess the attendance, win no prize
Weather looks good. Late starting time. Cheap beer. Still early in the year. That adds up to 6,117. Book it.

Match Previews

Timbers host Rochester Thursday at PGE Park (Portland Timbers)
Rhinos head west for a pair (Rochester Rhinos)
Rhinos visit Portland on FSC (USL Soccer)
Rochester Rhinos focused on extending hot streak (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Game day: Rochester Rhinos at Portland Timbers (The Oregonian)