Fire 2 - 4 Timbers
Final
  for this game

Timbers pining for 1st win in mid-week clash with Fire

Apr 13, 2011 - 9:56 PM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The expansion Portland Timbers will be gunning for their first win when they host the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer action on Thursday night at Jeld-Wen Field.

The Timbers (0-2-1), who which opened their first season in MLS with back-to- back road losses, earned their first point in their home opener on April 2, a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution.

"I feel very comfortable with the group of guys," Timbers midfielder jack Jewsbury said. "As the captain, in the leadership role, my experience comes into play. [I want to] continue building this team. We've just got to continue to fight for one another, and improve upon the things that we haven't done so well and continue to build the things that we have."

The Timbers took a pretty big step in building the team on Wednesday, when they announced the signing of Colombian midfielder Diego Chara as the club's first designated player.

"His abilities and work rate will make him the perfect box-to-box midfielder for us," Timbers coach John Spencer said. "I believe that he will not only make us a better team, but once we get him accustomed to the league, culture and system, I believe he could be one of the best midfielders in the league."

Chara is not expected to be available Thursday.

The Fire (1-1-1) are coming off a 2-1 loss at Seattle in their last MLS fixture on Saturday, and will be gunning to get back on track on Thursday night.

"This was a very difficult match, but I'm very satisfied with my team,' Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos said after the loss to Seattle. "I think the team played good and I think we had a very good second half. The best player was Seattle's goalkeeper [Kasey Keller].

"My players had a very good effort and we had some really good moments on the pitch. We had two mistakes and they took advantage of this. We had some chances to score and we couldn't come away with more goals. The most important thing to take away is the attitude of the group and players. I like my team because they are showing the evolution our team is having this season."

Both Portland and Chicago have quick turnarounds this week, with matches on Sunday vs. Dallas and Los Angeles, respectively.






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