A-free-ka calling! Timbers announce signing Ghanaian midfielder.

 In what may be the first move toward next year's MLS side,  the Timbers announced signing a nineteen year old, Kalif Alhassan from Liberty Professionals of the Ghanaian Premier League.  The youngster impressed technico futuro, Gavin Wilkinson, on his scouting tour this year.  Portland has a vibrant Ghanaian community.  Perhaps we can look forward to the Timbers inviting Obo Addy and his troupe to help open the festivities and welcome next year's African players.   I'm guessing Alhassan won't be the only one.  As a side note, Obo's son,  Alex,  was a red hot soccer player in his high school days,  at one point in the Eighties leading scorer in the local amateur league with something like 36 goals for one season.  Liberty Professionals is a relatively new club at fourteen. Their match reports  are colorful.  I like their enthusiasm too.  "Simply the Best" is a great slogan. Somehow I hear Tina Turner belting it out over the loudspeakers at matches.   Will be interesting to see what happens next as the winter brings us news of other signings. 

OASA, Timbers honor former Timber, Jimmy Conway-

          

As many of us have played with and against Jimmy over the years, I pass on this message from OASA.  






Jimmy Conway

Soccer fans, take note! The Oregon Adult Soccer Association and the Portland Timbers are joining with other local soccer organizations to honor former Timber player/captain/assistant coach Jimmy Conway with a Testimonial match.

After a great career in Irish soccer (including 20 games with the national team) and 12 years with Fulham and Manchester City in England , Jimmy spent 10 seasons with the Timbers as player and coach. He followed that with 16 years at Pacific University and Oregon State University and 28 years as Director of Coaching for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association. He additionally served as an "A" licensed coach for Region IV teams and the USSF national staff.

While Jimmy still plays against many of us on a weekly basis with his Pierre's teammates in over-50 competition in the Greater Portland Soccer District, he has had to resign from coaching due to a recent diagnosis of trauma-induced dementia. You can get more details on Jimmy's playing and coaching career, including his many years participating on OASA teams, at the OASA website: Jimmy Conway biography.

The Jimmy Conway Testimonial match is scheduled for Thursday, August 26, at PGE Park with kickoff at 5:00 p.m. The game will feature former Timbers players against an Oregon Select XI who Jimmy coached at the college and youth levels. The Testimonial match (an abbreviated 60 minutes) will be an exhibition match played prior to the Timber's 7:00 p.m. USSF Division-2 Pro League match against the Austin Aztex. Fans with tickets to the Timbers regular-season game on Aug. 26 may come in early to enjoy the Testimonial match; gates open at 4:30 p.m.

At halftime of the Portland-Austin game, the Timbers will present a special commendation to Jimmy and his family.

Tickets are as low as $12 (in advance) and can be purchased at the PGE Park box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at portland timbers or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Let's help the Timbers in their drive to the playoffs and pay tribute to Jimmy, who has meant so much to local soccer for more than 30 years. See you at PGEPark !

For those of you who not able to attend the testimonial match wishing to show your support for Jimmy, please consider making a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association, Oregon Chapter in Jimmy's name. All proceeds from the Jimmy Conway Testimonial will be donated to this designated charity at the request of the Conway family."

The Jimmy Conway Testimonial donation site may be reached at:

Jimmy Conway donation

FC77 Annual Athletic Cup 8-15-10