PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s are one of 16 Premier Development League (PDL) teams to qualify for the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, it was announced today by United Soccer Leagues. The Timbers U-23s will compete in a second straight U.S. Open Cup and begin play in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday, May 14.
The Timbers U-23s qualified for the 2013 U.S. Open Cup based upon their finish in the 2012 regular season as one of the top two teams of the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. Four teams from each of the PDL’s four conferences will enter the tournament.
The first round of the U.S. Open Cup is set for May 14, with the second and third rounds taking place in subsequent weeks on Tuesday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 28, respectively.
The 2013 U.S. Open Cup, the 100th edition of the tournament, will feature 68 teams, an increase from the 64 that competed last year, making this the largest tournament field of the modern era (1995-present). In addition to all U.S.-based Division I (MLS), II (NASL) and III (USL PRO) teams, 34 amateur teams round out the field – the largest field of amateur teams in the competition’s modern era.
The Timbers U-23s made their U.S. Open Cup debut May 15, 2012, falling 3-1 to PSA Elite of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association at JELD-WEN Field in the opening round of the 2012 tournament.
The Timbers U-23s open their fifth PDL season, presented by Billups Worldwide, on Thursday, May 16, when they play host to division-rival Seattle Sounders FC U23 at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 11 a.m. (Pacific). The special day match is one of three popular Providence Health & Fitness Days during 2013 regular season.
PDL Participants in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Eastern Conference: Carolina Dynamo, GPS Portland Phoenix, Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United
Southern Conference: Austin Aztex, Laredo Heat, Ocala Stampede, Orlando City U23
Central Conference: Des Moines Menace, Michigan Bucks, Real Colorado Foxes, River City Rovers
Western Conference: FC Tucson, Portland Timbers U-23s, Sounders FC U23, Ventura County Fusion
ABOUT TIMBERS U-23s
Founded Nov. 11, 2008, the Portland Timbers U-23s, presented by Billups Worldwide, is an amateur team affiliated with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer and serves as a development platform for the club's first team. The team consists of standout players from collegiate and youth programs from Oregon, the Northwest and throughout the country, and competes in United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League (PDL). Since their founding, five Timbers U-23s players have signed with the first team, including goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and defender Ryan Kawulok and Timbers Homegrown Players Steven Evans and Brent Richards. The Timbers U-23s assembled an historic campaign in 2010, posting a perfect 16-0-0 record during the regular season on their way to becoming the first undefeated champion in PDL history.
