Crystal Palace Baltimore hosts the Portland Timbers tonight in US Soccer Federation Division 2 action.
As discussed previously, for the 2010 season the USSF Division 2 is made up of both the North American Soccer League, and the United Soccer League.
Baltimore is in 3rd place in the NASL, with 7 points. (Montreal leads with 11, Vancouver is 3rd with 9). After starting the season 0-3-1, Crystal Palace has turned it up a notch winning 2 of their last 3. One of those wins was a 1-0 win in Portland.
The Timbers are in 2nd place in the USL with 11 points (Austin leads with 14). As Portland ascends to Major League Soccer next-year, this is a chance to see one of the better US based teams.
A preview of the game from NASL.com can be found here:
http://nasl.com/article/palace-prepares-for-rematch-with-portland
“After upsetting the Timbers’s unbeaten record in an action-packed encounter in Portland one week ago, Crystal Palace Baltimore welcome the same team to UMBC Stadium this Saturday at 7:00pm. The Timbers, who head to Major League Soccer next season, will no doubt be looking to avenge the loss on their turf. Portland is on a three-game winless streak dropping to third in the USL conference, while Palace have won two of three, knocking off first and second-placed teams in the process. Baltimore now sits in third spot in the NASL conference.
Palace Baltimore President Pete Medd sees Portland’s visit as a test for more than just his team: “I read an article in the Baltimore Sun a couple of years ago that asked the question: ’What would happen if the Blast played DC United?’ Well, Baltimore gets to see one of its teams play MLS-level competition this Saturday, in Baltimore. I saw firsthand what soccer can be in this town and in this country when we went to Portland, Oregon last week. They have a downtown stadium and we played them in front of 9,000 flag waving, chanting, great fans. Are there more soccer fans in Portland than Baltimore? I don’t think so. I think we can recreate that same thing here in Baltimore. Soccer fans can come out and see some of the best players in this country right here in their backyard this Saturday.”
Tickets for tonights game are still available online for pick up at the box office will-call window. Individual tickets are $16 and children five and under are always admitted free.
For those fans who are not able to attend the match, the game will be video streamed live at live.palacebaltimore.com starting a few minutes before the 7:00pm kickoff.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.