We've already known a bit about the preseason details including the upcoming pre-season tournament with Chivas USA, the San Jose Earthquakes and AIK of Sweden, but until today we didn't know too much else. Well, today's that has all changed with the Timbers releasing almost everything we could have asked for.
So first up, the Timbers coaches and players are scheduled to report on Friday, January 20th back here in Portland with the first training session scheduled for January 23rd. If we're invited you better believe we'll be there for the first training session of the new year. If it's a closed session, we'll be sure to attend the first one we possibly can.
Then from February 5th-16th the Timbers will hold their pre-season camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, home of the LA Galaxy. As nice as it would be if the Timbers just stayed up here, that's unfortunately, very difficult due to our inclement weather. Best to send the boys off to someplace warmer.
All in all, a good pre-season and one that I absolutely can't wait to get started.
I've gone ahead and posted the full press release and schedule after the jump for you to view in full.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today unveiled details of their 2012 preseason as the club prepares for its second season in Major League Soccer. The Timbers’ preseason schedule includes a camp in Southern California, a preseason tournament in Portland and features a slate of exhibition matches against MLS opposition and other clubs.
Timbers coaches and players are scheduled to report on Friday, Jan. 20, and will kick off preseason training in Portland on Monday, Jan. 23. The club will train in the Rose City for the first two weeks before heading to the Los Angeles area for a 12-day camp at The Home Depot Center from Feb. 5-16. Further details regarding dates and opponents of preseason matches while in California will be announced at a later date.
The Timbers return to Portland for the remainder of preseason training and will wrap up preparations for the upcoming season by playing host to a four-team tournament at JELD-WEN Field from Feb. 27 through March 4. The round-robin tournament will feature the host Timbers along with MLS sides Chivas USA and San Jose Earthquakes and top-flight Swedish club AIK. Tickets for the tournament go on sale Monday, Feb. 6, at the JELD-WEN Field box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Portland opens the 2012 MLS campaign Monday, March 12, against the Philadelphia Union at JELD-WEN Field on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Timbers 2012 Preseason Training Schedule (subject to change):
Jan. 20 – Players report to Portland
Jan. 21 – Player entrance physicals
Jan. 23 – Training begins in Portland
Feb. 5-16 – Preseason camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Feb. 27 – Tournament: Preseason match vs. San Jose at JELD-WEN Field; 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
March 1 – Tournament: Preseason match vs. Chivas USA at JELD-WEN Field; 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
March 4 – Tournament: Preseason match vs. AIK (Sweden) at JELD-WEN Field; 5 p.m. (Pacific)
March 12 – MLS First Kick 2012: Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union at JELD-WEN Field; 6:30 p.m. (Pacific)