Portland Timbers to Face Carolina RailHawks. Twice

By: Bob Kellett | April 29th, 2009

The Portland Timbers opening match last Saturday against Vancouver provided a glimpse of what we might expect from the 2009 squad. A pair of games against the Carolina RailHawks (3-0-0, 9pts) will provide us with an opportunity to learn more about this year’s revamped team. The Timbers face Carolina at the wrong time of the season. The RailHawks have won three in a row for the first time in franchise history. They’ve been in training longer than Portland (0-1-0, 0pts). They should have better fitness. But they haven’t played on the road and a pair of games 3,000 miles from home won’t be easy.

Home victories are the key for success in USL-1. You’ll recall that two years ago the Timbers went undefeated at PGE Park on their way to a second place finish in the table. Last season the Timbers opened up with three straight victories at home, only to win 2 of their final 13 games in Portland. Going 5-5-5 at home won’t cut it in 2009. This week’s matches could set the tone for how the club will play at home this season.

History against Carolina
All-time: 1-2-2, 1GF, 2GA
At home: 0-0-2, 0GF, 0GA
At Carolina: 1-2-0, 1GF, 2GA

Top three home opener memories

1. May 1, 2004: Alan Gordon made his professional debut a memorable one, scoring just 26 seconds into the game to help lead the Timbers to a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders.

2. April 17, 2008: Chris Brown’s goal in the 71st minute lifted the Timbers to a 1-0 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders. More than 10,000 fans showed up for Timber Jim’s last match.

3. May 11, 2001: Mark Baena and Brent Sancho both notched goals to propel Portland past Seattle in front of 12,295 at PGE Park. The game marked the return of professional soccer in Portland and it happened to be my first night living in the city. How lucky I was to stumble upon it.

Being Gavin Wilkinson
Out with the old, in with the new. Those bums from last season aren’t around to ruin my mojo. Our new guys are fan-fucking-tastic. Did you see the way we dominated the Whitecaps? To-tal domination, mate. Just wait for these games against Carolina. The Timbers Army will be chanting my name when I field this lineup:

Cronin
Thompson Knowles Danso Hayes
Savage Claesson McManus Pore
Suzuki McLaughlin

Danso and Thompson in the backline to improve the play in the air. McLaughlin up front to bang around before Keita comes in as a super sub.

Predict the crowd, win no prize
Last season’s home opener drew 10,977. I attended that one. I won’t be at this year’s opener. Everyone else will be there though. Prediction: 10,976.

On that note
Has there been any advertising for these games? I haven’t seen any, but I haven’t looked too closely.

“The more you drink, the better they play”
Some podcast action to get you warmed up for Thursday/Saturday.

Match Previews
* RailHawks hit the road for twin tilt with Portland (Carolina RailHawks)
* Timbers host Carolina in home opener Thursday (Portland Timbers)
* Timbers midfielder Alex Nimo trying to show he belongs in MLS (The Oregonian)
* Timbers look more to attack (Portland Tribune)

Match coverage
Thursday nights used to be Must See TV: Family Ties, Cosby Show, Night Court, and Cheers. Now they are Must See Timbers. Unfortunately I have another obligation on Thursday evenings from now until eternity so these are turning into Must See the USL Live on Demand nights. I’ll try to watch them the same night and punch out some thoughts about what I see. No promises. Have fun at the stadium and see you in person on Saturday.

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