PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced the club will play host to the reserve team of renowned Mexican side Club América in an international exhibition match on Sunday, May 31, at PGE Park at 5 p.m. 

Tickets, starting at $15, go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 22, at 10 a.m., through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. An exclusive pre-sale for Timbers season-ticket holders begins April 20.

Affiliated with one of Mexico’s most accomplished clubs, the Club América reserves compete in the Primera División A, which is the second-highest level of Mexican soccer. The team features Club América’s rising stars as well as several of Mexico’s up-and-coming national team players, including Mexican U-20 National Team goalkeeper Hugo González Durán.

Several of Club América’s current standout players have previously suited up for its reserve team, including midfielder and Mexico U-20 National Team player Juan Carlos Silva, defender Oscar Rojas and current Mexican National Team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

“Playing against a Club América team filled with Mexico’s next wave of superstars is a great challenge for our club and provides fans the opportunity to experience a different style of soccer from another country,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “The match also allows us to watch and scout some of the best young talent in Mexico and begins a working partnership with one of the most successful clubs in North America.”

Known as Socio Águila, the Club América reserves will be the Timbers’ fourth exhibition opponent from Mexico since 2007. Previously, the Timbers have hosted top-flight clubs Necaxa, U.A.N.L. Tigres and Morelia at PGE Park.

The Timbers open their 2009 USL First Division season April 25 on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Portland plays host to the Carolina RailHawks in its home opener April 30 at PGE Park at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $11 and can be purchased through the PGE Park box office and Ticketmaster.

ABOUT CLUB AMÉRICA
Based in Mexico City, Club América is one of Mexico’s most successful organizations, having won 10 league titles and eight international tournaments in their history – which ranks among the most by any Mexican club. The Club América reserves currently compete in Group 1 of the Primera División A and play against second-tier clubs as well as other reserve teams for top-level clubs, most notably Santos Laguna. The 2009 Primera División A Clausura season for the Club América reserves ends May 4 against Irapuato.