Portland Timbers to hold U-14 Academy Team tryouts

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers will begin the process of building their recently added U-14 Academy team by hosting an open tryout for youth players May 4-7. The Timbers U-14 Academy team joins the Timbers U-16 and U-18 Academy teams as part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and will begin play in August.

Led by Timbers Academy director Mike Smith and coaches, the tryout is open to all interested youth players from Oregon, Southwest Washington and Idaho born between the years 2001-02. The tryout will be held at Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s Rock Creek Powerline Park in Beaverton, Ore., from May 4-7, lasting from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Pacific) each session. The registration fee is $125. Interested players can register online at http://registration.timbers.com; space is limited.

The aim of the Timbers Academy is to further develop elite youth soccer players throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington and Idaho through advanced training and competitive opportunities. Through the Timbers’ development system, which includes the academy teams, Portland Timbers U-23s and T2, the club has created a vertically integrated pathway from the youth levels to the professional ranks with the Timbers’ first team. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy also provides opportunities for players to be seen by national team and college coaches.