PORTLAND — For the Portland Timbers fans, Saturday’s match against Boca Juniors from Argentina is a chance to see one of the world’s most decorated clubs in action.
For the Timbers franchise, hosting the Buenos Aires club is about building momentum for the 2011 jump to Major League Soccer.
And for Timbers players, it is a chance to be tested on a high level.
Timbers vs. Boca Juniors
7:30 p.m. Saturday at PGE Park.
TV/radio: FSN, cable channel 34/95.5 FM (A live Spanish-language broadcast will also be available on 910 AM).
Tickets: Prices start at $19 through Ticketmaster outlets and at PGE Park.
“It’s almost a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against a team like Boca Juniors,” Timbers defender Steve Purdy said. “There’s going to be a lot of people watching, and every player’s going to want to be in there and do their thing.”
Saturday’s 7 p.m. match at PGE Park completes a West Coast post-season tour for Boca Juniors. Sounders FC beat Boca Juniors 3-0 in front of more than 40,000 fans on Wednesday at Qwest Field. Last weekend, the L.A. Galaxy beat Boca Juniors 1-0.
Boca Juniors is without some of its stars for this tour. Forward Martin Palermo is with Argentina’s national team preparing for next month’s World Cup. Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme is recovering from knee surgery.
Even with a number of younger players in its lineup, Boca Juniors figures to present a formidable challenge for the Timbers.
“The opponent that we’re playing is a world-class opponent, and in many ways it’s daunting,” Timbers head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson said. “But in a lot of ways, it’s phenomenal for our fans and for our players to get to play against this group.”
Portland defender Stephen Keel, who trained for several weeks in 2007 with Mexican club Pachuca, said fans will see a style that emphasizes one- or two-touch soccer with flair.
“It’s an entertaining form,” Keel said. “I’m sure they’ll have a few tricks up their sleeve.”
“It’s going to be different than what you’re used to,” said Purdy, who played several matches in Brazil while with Colorado of MLS. “Technically, they’re going to be sound. But they’re going to bring another element of creativity.”
In addition to the challenge of facing a legendary opponent, Saturday provides an opportunity for the Timbers to put behind them recent struggles. After a fast start to the United States Soccer Federation Pro Division 2 season, Portland has lost four of five, including a 3-1 exhibition loss to Costa Rican club Puntarenas FC.
Wilkinson said the exhibition matches are a chance to explore combinations in the lineup, and perhaps look at some players who haven’t yet seen significant playing time. But this isn’t a match he’s taking lightly.
“I think we’ve dropped our level to the opponent” in recent league matches, Wilkinson said. On Saturday, his Timbers will have to play up to the ability of a talented foe.
“It’s a great measuring stick in terms of, can we as individuals on this team be up to the challenge in every sense of the word?” Wilkinson said.
Saturday’s match is the second of four international exhibitions so far scheduled in Portland this season. On July 17, Manchester City will play the Timbers at the University of Portland.
On July 11, Club Deportivo Atlas of Guadalajara, will play the Timbers at PGE Park. The team announced on Thursday details of that match against the 94-year-old Mexican club.
Boca Juniors has won 18 international championships and 23 titles in Argentina. The club formed in 1905 in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aries. Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and is now the Argentine national team head coach, grew up a Boca fan and played for the club for the 1981-82 and 1995-96 seasons.
