By Kurt Schubothe
May 11 2003

Can the Timbers rebound after losing their first two games! Will coach Howe find the winning combination to turn things around for the side? Timbers Pre Match Report
Sunday May 11th Whitecaps FC
This will be the second game for the Whitecaps this season as they come into the match with a 6-0 win home win over Calgary last weekend. In preseason they won the match against the Timbers on PK’s. The Timbers come into the match with no goals in two games against the Sounders. With their two top scoreres being hampered by injuries we hope a week layoff will get them boyh in the starting line up to change the Timbers fortunes.
    Six diferent players scored in the Whitecaps opener. Here are some players to watch for :Jason Jordan 1 goal, Steve Kindel 1 goal 2 assist,Alfredo Valente 3 assist.
The Whitecaps are riding high after their home opening win and seem to have the Timbers number each time the two teams play up in Vancouver.
    For the Timbers who are off to another rocky start the main focus should be putting the ball in the net as they have yet to do so this season. The key will be if Afash and Tennyson are healthy enough to start the match. As allways the midfeild is weak for the Timbers once again so they depend on their forwards and defenders to do all the work.
Players for Portland to watch are Afash, Tennyson, Downing and Spiteri in the net.
Here is who I think will start for both teams:
White Caps:(Please note the pos. is from the site page)
Keeper:Mike Franks
D:Nico Craveiro
D: Nick Dasovic
M:Kevan Cameron
M:Alfredo Valente
M:Oliver Heald
M:Steve Kindel,
M:Paul Dailly
M:Tiarnan King
F:Niall Thompson
F:Jason Jordan

Portland Timbers:
 Keeper: Spiteri
D: Wilkinson
D: Morrison
D: Ritchie
D/M Downing
M: Winters
M: Brasil
M: Alcarez
M/F: Benedetti
F: Afash
F: Tennyson

Lets hope Oregon Live is working for the match. Game time is 7:00PM. You can chat and listen to the match Here