Timbers Tid Bits: Weekend Preview Edition

Even though the Portland Timbers game vs. D.C. United isn't on until Sunday there's still some choice previews being thrown up around the web. Most notably, most of them point to star striker Charlie Davies as missing Sunday's game altogether. Personally, I'm more than a little disappointed by this. Like most people I became a huge Davies fan during the World Cup Qualifiers in 2009 and was looking forward to seeing him live on Sunday. Oh well...

Amongst other news, we've got some more FIFA mud slinging happening as well as more AFC Ajax post-game analysis. Enjoy!

Timbers specific news

Timbers gush over quality of storied Ajax in defeat
Some choice quotes by John Spencer regarding last Wednesday's game.

Charlie Davies Injury Likely To Sideline D.C. United Striker Vs. Portland Timbers
Bummer. I was really looking forward to seeing Charlie Davies play.

D.C. United Vs. Portland Timbers: Is A Tactical Change Necessary Due To Charlie Davies Injury?
With Davies, Wolff, and Quaranta all potentially out of the starting lineup, who will D.C. United start on Sunday against the Portland Timbers?

Timbers Army and AFC Ajax fans at Jeld-Wen Field
Fantastic pictures by OregonLive from Wednesday's game.

Ajax's head coach Frank de Boer's comments after the game
This is an audio file. Some quality comments from Ajax's head coach regarding their friendly with the Portland Timbers.

League news (after the jump)

FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo escalation
It's cute! They think they're Cascadia! Just kidding. I think it's great for the league for more rivalries like this.

MLS spreads its wings through Gold Cup
A record 32 MLS players make national teams.

MLS Weekend Previews
The Texas derby heats up this weekend with the Dynamo and FC Dallas eager to get in pole position in the battle for "El Capitán", the 19th-century cannon awarded to the supporters of the club that wins the season series.

Union in position for conference lead
It's almost sad just how much worse the Eastern Conference is than the Western Conference. Philly is taking the conference lead with as many points as the Timbers have.

Lack of PKs puzzle Smith
As far as penalty kicks are concerned, Rapids coach Gary Smith stands at the fork in the road of competency and conspiracy.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter under investigation
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is placed under investigation by the organization's ethics committee over accusations he failed to report the payment of alleged bribes.