NCAA Soccer: UP Soccer Teams to Host Timbers, Canada this Spring

Christine Sinclair returns to the pitch where she set numerous school and NCAA records.

Photo courtesy: portlandpilots.com

PORTLAND - In what has become an annual spring soccer showcase, the University of Portland will host two high-profile soccer events at Merlo Field and the Clive Charles Soccer Complex again in 2007.

The men’s team will host the Portland Timbers on Friday, April 13th at 7:00 PM, while the women’s team will host the Canadian National Team, including former Pilot star Christine Sinclair, on Friday, April 20th at 7:00 PM.

There will be many familiar faces from the opposing teams in both matches. The Timbers have two former Pilots currently on roster in the form of Andrew Gregor and Garrett Marcum.

Gregor was a four-year starter and four-time All-WCC pick from 1994-97.

Marcum played four years with the Pilots, suiting up from 1997-2000. The Timbers are a member of the United Soccer Leagues First Division.

The most recognized student-athlete in University of Portland athletics history will make a much-anticipated return to The Bluff and Merlo Field on April 20th when Christine Sinclair and Canada play the Pilot women.

Sinclair, named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year in 2005-06, was a three-time national player of the year for women’s soccer during her tenure at Portland (2001-02, 2004-05).

The school’s all-time leader in points (252), goals (110) and game-winners (38), Sinclair was recognized by the NCAA as one of the top 25 women’s soccer players in history last year.

A fixture on the Canadian National Team since age 16, Sinclair captain’s one of the up-and-coming international squads in the world.

Canada is currently ranked 10th in the latest FIFA World Rankings and has qualified for the 2007 World Cup.

The Canadians and Sinclair surprised the world with a run to the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup. Sinclair is second in Canadian history with 66 career strikes.

Current Portland standout Sophie Schmidt is also a regular on the Canadian National Team.

Schmidt redshirted her freshman year last season due to national team commitments.

She is expected to suit up as a Pilot in the spring exhibition. Schmidt and the Pilots will be sporting brand new uniforms designed by Nike.

Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex has hosted many marquee soccer events in recent years.

The Portland men’s soccer team hosted Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer on March 25th, 2006.

The women’s team hosted Mexico each of the last two springs, while the University also hosted an international friendly between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Ukraine in July of 2005.

International matches featuring Brazil and England against the U.S. women have also been played on the Merlo pitch, while the venue was the first-ever predetermined NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship site in 1994.

Tickets for both events are on sale now only through Ticketmaster -- Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (503) 224-4400.

The men’s matchup is all general admission at a cost of $5 per ticket.

The women’s match will have normal ticket pricing -- $12 for stadium chair reserved seating, $9 for bench back reserved seats, $7 for general admission and $5 for youth general admission.

Youth Team Passes will also be available for the women’s match (in advance only) by calling (503) 943-7117, while tickets last.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports