Portland Timbers Out 2013 Pre-Season Schedule

Well it certainly didn't take the Portland Timbers front office long to figure out their plans for the 2013 pre-season. One would think that they have had a while to think about it, especially considering they've essentially been out of the play off race since July. I'm just left wondering whether or not some of the other teams included in this press release would have preferred a bit more silence as the 2012 MLS play offs continue. Oh well...

According to the press release the Timbers coaches, staff and players return to Portland on January 19th and actual training begins the following Monday, January 21st. One week from then, the Timbers will fly down to Arizona, presumably to escape the bitter cold that Portland will surely be feeling at that point in January, where they'll play a number of friendlies with other MLS teams and FC Tuscon, Tuscon's local club.

Here are the dates for those games:

• Tuesday, Jan. 29 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Colorado Rapids at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific)
• Friday, Feb. 1 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Sporting Kansas City at Kino Sports Complex; 6 p.m. (Pacific)
• Tuesday, Feb. 5 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific)
• Friday, Feb. 8 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific)

What do you think of the Timbers' early 2013 pre-season?

Full press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today unveiled initial details of their 2013 preseason as the club prepares for a third season in Major League Soccer. The Timbers’ preseason schedule will include a 13-day camp in Tucson, Ariz., where they will open their slate of preseason matches.

Players and coaches are scheduled to report for preseason on Saturday, Jan. 19, and will begin preseason training Monday, Jan. 21. The Timbers will train in Portland for the first week of preseason before departing for a nearly two-week camp in Tucson from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8.

While in Tucson, the Timbers will conduct daily training sessions and play in preseason matches as part of The Desert Friendlies, presented by FC Tucson, at the Kino Sports Complex. Portland will play games against the Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City as well as host club FC Tucson, a member of the Premier Development League.

Further details regarding the Timbers’ 2013 preseason schedule will be announced at a later date.

Portland Timbers 2013 Preseason Schedule (subject to change):
Saturday, Jan. 19 – Coaches, players report to Portland

Monday, Jan. 21 – First day of 2013 preseason training

Sunday, Jan. 27 – Depart for Tucson, Ariz., for training camp

Tuesday, Jan. 29 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Colorado Rapids at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific)

Friday, Feb. 1 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Sporting Kansas City at Kino Sports Complex; 6 p.m. (Pacific)

Tuesday, Feb. 5 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific)

Friday, Feb. 8 – The Desert Friendlies: Preseason match vs. FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex; 11 a.m. (Pacific) / Return to Portland