Full Capacity
The Timbers return to action this week on Saturday, July 17 when they host FC Dallas at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX)). This will be the first Timbers match with the stadium open to full capacity. (The Thorns battled NJ/NY Gotham FC to a 0-0 draw on July 11 with full capacity elements in place.) To read up on the latest stadium policies, click here.
Wait, Roberto Mancini was in Portland? THAT Roberto Mancini that just won Euro 2020?
Yep. On July 17, 2010, the now Euro 2020 winning head coach of Italy, Roberto Mancini, was in Portland then managing English Premier League side Manchester City for a friendly against the Timbers.
Portland was in their last season of USL play and just about to begin their MLS launch in 2011. Manchester City was beginning their rise to the top of the Premier League infused with tremendous spending power due to their purchase by the Abu Dhabi United Group. The City squad arrived in the Rose City featuring Patrick Vieria, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Emmanual Adebayor—who scored in the first half—and Joe Hart among others.
The Timbers played well but lost 3-0 in the exhibition match which was held at Merlo Field in front of a sellout crowd.In the Starting XI for Portland that day was defender Ross Smith, now the team's broadcast soccer analyst.
Battle at the Top of the Table
The Thorns are also home this weekend as they welcome the Orlando Pride on Sunday, July 18 at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, Twitch). Both teams are tied atop the NWSL standings even with 16 points.
International Plaudits
Congratulations to two Timbers players who marked some accomplishments on the internationals stage. Midfielder Yimmi Chara helped Colombia to a third place finish at the 2021 Copa América.
Meanwhile, in the Concacaf Gold Cup, midfielder Eryk Williamson picked up his first national team cap Sunday as the USMNT defeated Haiti 1-0 in their opening match of the tournament.
For the Thorns, their American contingent is already in Japan preparing for the start of the Tokyo Olympics:
PTFC Birthdays This Week!
- July 13: Thorns assistant coach Rich Gunney
- July 14: Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese
