Timbers announce changes to third round U.S. Open Cup Match

PORTLAND, Ore. — U.S. Soccer and the Portland Timbers today announced changes to the club’s third-round match in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Timbers now will play host for their third-round matchup, regardless of opponent, on Wednesday, May 30, at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The USL PRO’s Wilmington Hammerheads were set to host Portland should they win this Tuesday’s second-round game against Cal FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association. But Wilmington and Portland agreed to change the location of the match, which is now set for 7:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, May 30, at JELD-WEN Field in Portland.

Should Cal FC defeat the Hammerheads to advance past the second round, the Timbers will host the California side at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) on May 30, one day later than originally announced.

Timbers season ticket holders may purchase third-round U.S. Open Cup tickets during an exclusive presale period starting today. Starting at $10, tickets go on sale to the general public Wednesday at 10 a.m. through the JELD-WEN Field box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phoning (800) 745-3000.

U.S. Soccer also announced changes to several other second- and third-round matches – either venues or kickoff times – for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup; click here for an updated schedule.

The Timbers, along with the other 15 United States-based Major League Soccer clubs, enter the 2012 U.S. Open Cup in the third round. The 2012 tournament marks the Timbers’ first U.S. Open Cup competition as an MLS side.

The 2012 U.S. Open Cup, the 99th edition of the tournament, began with a 64-team field, which is the largest in the modern era (1995 to present), on May 15, with 32 amateur teams opening play in the first round. For the first time, all Division I, II and III professional clubs, totaling 32 teams, are participating in the tournament proper.

The U.S. Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament, has crowned a champion for 98 consecutive years beginning in 1914. Every winning team’s name is engraved on the base of the Dewar Challenge Trophy, which dates to the first year of the tournament and resides at U.S. Soccer House in Chicago.