Portland Timbers to play host to alumni celebration Sunday as part of season-long 5/40 commemoration

PORTLAND, Ore. – To commemorate 40 years since the club’s inception in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and its fifth in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Portland Timbers will welcome back more than 35 Timbers alumni across all eras of the club’s existence for a Timbers Alumni Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 20, in conjunction with the team’s match against the New York Red Bulls.

The list of alumni expected to join in the celebration of the team’s 40 years on Sunday includes Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (USL), Byron Alvarez (USL), Willie Anderson (NASL), Garry Ayre (NASL), John Bain (NASL), Tony Betts (NASL), Freddie Braun (MLS), Adin Brown (USL/MLS), Ray Burse (USL), Clarena Charles (wife of the late Clive Charles, NASL), Noeleen Conway (wife of Jimmy Conway, NASL/USL), Bayard Elfvin (USL), Jeff Enquist (WSL), Bernie Fagan (NASL), Kevin Forrest (USL), Derek Gaudet (USL), Roger Goldingay (NASL), Miguel Guante (USL), Aaron Heinzen (USL), Shaun Higgins (USL), Greg Ion (NASL), Bill Irwin (NASL), Cameron Knowles (USL/MLS), Garrett Marcum (USL), Sean McAuley (USL/MLS), Lee Morrison (USL), Nick Nicolas (NASL), Jorge Perlaza (MLS), Tom Poltl (USL), Troy Ready (USL), Jake Sagare (USL), Jim Serrill (Timber Jim, NASL/USL), Scot Thompson (USL), Gavin Wilkinson (USL/MLS) and Peter Withe (NASL).

A 40-year soccer tradition began in 1975 as the Timbers debuted as an expansion team in the NASL, advancing to play for the league title in the team’s inaugural season. Additionally, the team went on to qualify for the playoffs in 1978 and 1981. Beginning in 2001 the Timbers became a member of United Soccer Leagues (USL). In 10 USL seasons, Portland produced eight winning seasons and advanced to the playoffs seven times, while claiming the regular-season title in 2004 and 2009. In 2011, the Timbers became the 18th team in MLS and have sold out every regular-season home game in their five years (82 and counting).

Sunday’s match against the Red Bulls kicks off at 2 p.m. (Pacific) with a national television broadcast on ESPN.