Timbers Tid Bits: It Begins Edition

This Friday the Portland Timbers will officially convene back here in Portland to begin their training for the 2012 season. With the SuperDraft behind us and a few weeks left open in the international transfer window there's a lot expected to go on, but the beginning of the training is probably the most exciting for the simple fact that it means... we're almost there! Soon we'll be relishing in the warm glow of pre-season games and then the home opener.

It almost brings a tear to my eye knowing that it's so close.

Enjoy today's news!

2012 PDL U.S. Open Cup Teams Named
Record 16 teams will enter competition in its 99th edition, including the Timbers U-23 team...

2012 MLS Draft Grades
They gave Portland an "A" grade.

Portland Timbers host youth soccer clinic
About 90 young athletes played soccer Sunday alongside the Portland Timbers in Salem.

Women's pro soccer struggling to find traction in North America
At the international level, women's soccer has never been stronger. At the club level however...

MLS aims high on global stage
Major League Soccer chief Dan Courtemanche has predicted the American competition will become one of the world's best in the next decade.

MLS seen as good first step
Jamaican footballers dreaming of a giant leap to professional clubs in Europe may want to consider a smaller jump towards a league much closer to home.

Mattocks brings speed, goals to MLS - Sports - JamaicaObserver.com
Mattocks will become the 14th Jamaican playing in United States Major League Soccer (MLS) when the new season gets underway on March 10.

Everton's David Moyes delighted with returning star Landon Donovan
Everton manager David Moyes has praised on-loan Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan for making an instant contribution on his return to the Merseysiders.

Henry and Hughes make losing returns
Swansea City turned on the style to beat Arsenal 3-2 and deny Thierry Henry a magical return to the Premier League.

Boy Scouts of America teams up with MLS
Relationship will support BSA’s athletic, leadership, character-driven program

CHIVAS USA: Keeper job goes to Melia
One of Chivas USA's open goalkeeper slots is going to Tim Melia, a two-year Real Salt Lake backup who has seen far more action from loan deals.

GALAXY: An Everton favorite, again
Landon Donovan's a hit, again, in his second loan stint to Everton, and his performance in Saturday's 1-1 English Premier League draw at Aston Villa.

Pizzolitto hopes to make jump in Montreal
Nevio Pizzolitto has played professional soccer long enough to know nothing in the game is guaranteed,

Soccer-Cannavaro and Pires set for India's IPL style league
Interesting article about Indian soccer which is supposedly modeled after MLS.