The Portland Timbers announced their key preseason date this morning, giving us our first glimpse at the 2017 season. Dates for the Desert Friendlies and the returning Simple Invitational were both announced today.
The Timbers will start their preseason in Tucson, AZ on January 25th, taking part in the Desert Friendlies until February 5th, when they will return to Portland. While in Tucson, the Timbers will face off against the New York Red Bull, FC Tucson, and the Seattle Sounders.
The Timbers will then return home for this year’s edition of the side’s preseason tournament, running from February 9th to the 15th. This year’s invitees for the invitational are Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Minnesota United.
Since the start of the team’s preseason invitational in 2012 — sponsored by Simple from 2013-2016 — the Timbers have hosted Swedish side AIK (2012, 2013), Chivas USA (2012), San Jose Earthquakes (2012, 2013, 2014), FC Dallas (2013), Jamaican side Portmore United (2014), Vancouver Whitecaps (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Chicago Fire (2015, 2016), Norwegian side Staebek (2015), and Minnesota United FC (2016, 2017).
Tickets for this year’s preseason tournament are included with 2017 Timbers season tickets.
The Timbers’ press release and full schedule:
TIMBERS TO HOST PRESEASON TOURNAMENT FEB. 9-15 AT PROVIDENCE PARK, OPEN PRESEASON TRAINING IN TUCSON JAN. 25Sixth-annual Timbers preseason tournament to feature matches against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United FC at Providence Park
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced details of their sixth-annual preseason tournament at Providence Park, as well as the club’s preseason schedule of games in Tucson, Ariz. Taking place from Feb. 9-15, the Timbers preseason tournament will feature Portland, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Real Salt Lake and 2017 MLS expansion side Minnesota United FC.
The preseason tournament once again will consist of three doubleheaders at Providence Park. Portland will face Real Salt Lake on Thursday, Feb. 9, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), while Vancouver and Minnesota will face each other in the opening match that day at 5 p.m. (Pacific). On Sunday, Feb. 12, Vancouver and Real Salt Lake will square off at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific), while the Timbers play host to Minnesota at 5 p.m. (Pacific). On the final day of the tournament, Wednesday, Feb. 15, Minnesota and Real Salt Lake will face each other at 5 p.m. (Pacific), with Portland and Vancouver set to close out the tournament at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Tickets for the Timbers preseason tournament are included as part of 2017 Timbers Annual Memberships. Individual tickets, which allow entry to both matches each day, start at $10 and are currently available online. Full tournament ticket packages, starting at $39, are also available for purchase online.
The Timbers will travel to Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and will begin preseason training on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Kino Sports Complex. While in Tucson, the Timbers will play three matches, including two as part of the 2017 Desert Friendlies hosted by FC Tucson. Portland will play its first match of the preseason against the New York Red Bulls on Friday, Jan. 27, before facing FC Tucson on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The Timbers will close out their 12-day stay in Tucson with a contest against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Feb. 4, before returning to Portland to resume preseason training.
All three matches in Tucson will take place at the Kino Sports Complex, while the matches against New York and Seattle are part of the 2017 Desert Friendlies; Click here for ticket information for those two games.
The Timbers will conclude their preseason slate with one final game on the road the weekend of Feb. 25 leading into the 2017 MLS regular season, with details being announced at a later date.
2017 Timbers Preseason ScheduleTuesday, Jan. 24 – Travel to Tucson, Ariz.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 – Preseason training begins in Tucson
Friday, Jan. 27 – Preseason match vs. New York Red Bulls at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.; 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Tuesday, Jan. 31 – Preseason match vs. FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.; 10 a.m. (Pacific)
Saturday, Feb. 4 – Preseason match vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.; 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Sunday, Feb. 5 – Return to Portland
Thursday, Feb. 9 – Preseason Tournament: Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake at Providence Park; 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Sunday, Feb. 12 – Preseason Tournament: Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC at Providence Park; 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Wednesday, Feb. 15 – Preseason Tournament: Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park; 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)