Minnesota United added its first three games to the 2017 preseason schedule, participating in the Portland Timbers preseason tournament in February. The tournament is hosted at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., and features Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Minnesota United and the Timbers.
MNUFC participated in this Major League Soccer warmup tournament at the beginning of its preseason in 2016, competing against Midwest rivals the Chicago Fire in addition to the Timbers and Whitecaps.
The tournament is a chance for Minnesota to get a good look at its MLS Western Conference competition. The Loons will play RSL, Portland and Vancouver at least twice during the regular season in 2017 and the first round of bragging rights are on the line this February.
This is the sixth year Portland has hosted the four-team, round robin tournament, and the first time the field is comprised entirely of MLS teams. In the past, the Timbers have invited two MLS teams along with an international club. These international opponents have been Sweden’s AIK (2012 and 2013), Portmore United of Jamaica (2014), and Stabæk of Norway (2015). Last year, Minnesota United became the first non-MLS club from North America to participate in the tournament.
The tournament begins Thursday, Feb. 9, with the second and third match days on Feb. 12 and Feb. 15. Each gameday will be a double header, with Portland playing in the later game. Individual tickets, which allow entry to both matches each day, start at $10 and are currently on sale online at www.timbers.com. Full tournament ticket packages, starting at $39, are also available for purchase online. See the full schedule below for details:
Thursday, Feb. 9
Minnesota United FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 7 p.m. CST
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Real Salt Lake – 4:30 p.m.
Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC – 7 p.m.
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 9:30 p.m.
