While we received the Timbers MLS schedule a few weeks ago the U-23 side went unannounced until today. Kicking off the season on May 11th, the Portland Timbers U-23 PDL will host the Fraser Valley Mariners at Jeld-Wen Field.
Here's the full home schedule:
Date
Friday, May 11 Fraser Valley Mariners 7 p.m. JELD-WEN Field
Saturday, May 19 Victoria Highlanders 7 p.m. Alder Creek Middle School
Thursday, May 24 Kitsap Pumas
Friday, June 1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 11 a.m. JELD-WEN Field
Sunday, June 17 North Sound SeaWolves 5 p.m. Sherwood High School
Friday, June 22 Seattle Sounders FC U-23s 7:30 p.m. Kiggins Bowl
Friday, July 6 Washington Crossfire 7 p.m. Doc Harris Stadium
Sunday, July 8 Kitsap Pumas
It's kind of a bummer that the Timbers U-23 match vs. the Sounders U-23s won't be at Jeld-Wen since that's where the fireworks happen against the MLS sides. Might also help promote the PDL squad a bit more rather than playing all the way up in Vancouver. Although it'll probably be nice for fans up there.
For those wondering the relevancy of such a squad, keep in mind that current Portland Timbers MLS players Freddie Braun, Jake Gleeson and Brent Richards are all alums of the U-23 side. It serves as an important vessel for maturing players.
As usual I've posted the press release after the jump.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers U-23s open their fourth Premier Development League (PDL) season on Friday, May 11, as they play host to the Fraser Valley Mariners at JELD-WEN Field, it was announced today as United Soccer Leagues unveiled the 2012 PDL regular-season schedule.
The Timbers U-23s, the development team for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, will play a 16-game, regular-season schedule against Northwest Division opponents. In addition, the Timbers U-23s will compete in their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament in 2012, set to enter in the first round as one of 16 automatic qualifiers from the PDL based upon 2011 regular-season standings. Details regarding the Timbers U-23s’ participation in the U.S. Open Cup will be announced at a later date.
Highlighting the Timbers U-23s’ home schedule are the team’s third-annual Health & Fitness School Days, presented by Providence Health & Services, at JELD-WEN Field. The Timbers U-23s will play host to the Kitsap Pumas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 in special day games on Thursday, May 24 and Friday, June 1, respectively. Featuring a host of activities, including a pre-game assembly, the school-day matches kick off at 11 a.m.
Led by head coach Jim Rilatt, who enters his fourth season at the helm, the Timbers U-23s will split their 2012 home schedule between JELD-WEN Field and other venues throughout the greater-Portland area.
In addition to playing each division opponent once at home and once on the road, Portland will take on both Kitsap and Washington Crossfire a third time throughout the season. The Timbers U-23s wrap up their 2012 regular season Wednesday, July 11 on the road against Washington.