MLS All-Star week festivities continue this week as the Timbers U23s host the MLS Homegrown Squad in the first MLS Homegrown Game from Providence Park Monday at 7:00pm PDT.

The Timbers U23s come into the match after a long layoff following the conclusion of USL Premier Development League play, after missing the cut for the PDL Western Conference Playoffs, last playing the Washington Crossfire to a 1-1 draw on July 14.

The biggest question for the Jim Rilatt and the U23s is who will still be with the team for this match. With many college soccer programs reporting for preseason camps this week and the U23s comprised of players from collegiate programs all over the nation, it is possible that many players have already left for their respective programs.

On the PDL season, Kharlton Belmar led the U23s in scoring with 8 goals and 1 assist, while Fatai Alashe, Dennis Castillo, and Benjamin Strong all added 2 goals and an assist and Hudson Rhodes let the team with 4 assists in 4 matches and David Rose added 3 helpers as well.

Despite not making the PDL Western Conference Playoffs, the Timbers U23s did qualify for the 2015 U.S. Open Cup by virtue of finishing as the second highest placed US-based squad in the Northwest Division.

The MLS Homegrown Squad are a typical All-Star team. Constructed solely for this match, they feature stars from across MLS, including Chicago Fire midfielders Harry Shipp and Chris Ritter, LA Galazy forward Gyasi Zardes, NY Red Bulls defender Conner Lade, Seattle Sounders defenser DeAndre Yedlin, as well as Timbers midfielder Steven Evans, who has been on loan to Sacramento Republic, making 7 appeareances.

Featuring many established MLS stars, the MLS Homegrowns should not have trouble dispatching the U23s, but this should be an enjoyable match to watch and attend.

Match Information

Portland Timbers U23s vs, MLS Homegrown Squad

Monday, August 4, 2014 at 7:00pm

Provenience Park - Portland, Oregon

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