Timbers Reserve Schedule Unveiled
March 6th, 2013 by Michael Orr
Sunday March 17: Seattle Sounders v Timbers @ Starfire (5pm)
Sunday March 31: Colorado Rapids v Timbers @ DSG Park Field 20 (TBD)
Sunday April 7: Timbers v VSI Tampa Bay FC @ Jeld-Wen Field (TBD)
Monday April 15: Timbers v San Jose Earthquakes @ Jeld-Wen Field (TBD)
Sunday May 19: Vancouver Whitecaps v Timbers @ UBC Thunderbird Stadium (11am)
Saturday June 1: VSI Tampa Bay FC v Timbers @ VSI Tampa Bay Stadium (7:30pm)
Sunday July 14: Timbers v LA Galaxy @ Jeld-Wen Field (6pm)
Sunday July 28: San Jose Earthquakes v Timbers @ Nutrilite (11am)
Sunday August 4: Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps @ Jeld-Wen Field (6pm)
Saturday August 31: Real Salt Lake v Timbers @ America First Field (TBD)
Sunday September 8: Timbers v Real Salt Lake @ Jeld-Wen Field (6pm)
Sunday September 15: Chivas USA v Timbers @ HDC Field TBD (11am)
Saturday September 21: Timbers v Colorado Rapids @ Jeld-Wen Field (6pm)
Monday October 14: Timbers v Seattle Sounders @ Jeld-Wen Field (2pm)
So it looks like we only play one game against LAG and Chivas. Instead we play two teams against Tampa Bay. I realize that is still four Reserve matches more than last year, but wouldn’t it have been better to play extra matches against those two MLS opponents instead? I understand that it’s a league decision and part of the agreement with the USL, but I don’t understand why they left out those two. More matches = more experience for the youngsters.
What’s most interesting to me is that the Timbers will play Colorado and Salt Lake twice, who were never reserve league opponents before. This makes me think they’ve abandoned the divisions system. Why the schedule isn’t 16 games is a good question, though. It wouldn’t be too much more of a burden over the 7-month season.