Timbers MLS schedule announced

Seattle Sounders FC will visit the Portland Timbers on July 10, and the L.A. Galaxy comes to Portland on Aug. 3.

Those are two of the most anticipated matches as the Timbers make their debut as a member of Major League Soccer in 2011.

MLS announced its schedule on Thursday. Each team will play every other team twice — once at home and once on the road — for a total of 34 games.

The Timbers open with three road games — to give extra time to complete renovation work at PGE Park. Portland’s first home games are on Thursday, April 14 against Chicago and on Sunday, April 17 against FC Dallas.

The final regular-season home game is on Oct. 14 against Houston.

Timbers games are on ESPN or ESPN2 three times: their home opener on April 14, at Seattle on May 14, and the home game against the Sounders at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. The team expects to announce a local television and radio deal soon.

The schedule announced on Thursday does not include potential U.S. Open Cup or international exhibition matches.

The full schedule is below. Details and ticket information is available at http://www.portlandtimbers.com.

Also on Thursday, the Timbers introduced forward Kenny Cooper at a press conference. For more about Cooper and the Timbers, see Friday editions of The Columbian.

TIMBERS 2011 MLS SCHEDULE

All times Pacific

Notes: It is anticipated that all games will be available on TV, but local TV and radio contracts have not yet been announced.

International exhibition matches and U.S. Open Cup play TBD.

Saturday, March 19, at Colorado Rapids, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 26, at Toronto FC, 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 2, at New England, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 14, vs. Chicago Fire, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sunday, April 17, vs. FC Dallas, 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 23, at LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 30, vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, at Seattle Sounders FC, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday, May 21, vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 29, vs. D.C. United, 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 5, at Chivas USA, 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 11, vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 19, vs. New York Red Bulls, 4 p.m.

Saturday, June 25, at FC Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 2, vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 10, vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 2 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, July 16, at Chicago Fire, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 23, at Columbus Crew, 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 30, vs. Toronto FC, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 3, vs. L.A. Galaxy, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6, at San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14, at Houston Dynamo, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Sporting Kansas City, 5:30 .m.

Saturday, Aug. 20, vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, vs. Chivas USA, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 27, at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10, at Philadelphia Union, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16, vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 21, vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24, at New York Red Bulls, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 2., at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14, vs. Houston Dynamo, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 22, at Real Salt Lake, 6 p.m.