Boca Juniors thirsty for a win as they complete U.S. tour in Portland (original) (raw)
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Faith Cathcart, The OregonianBoca Juniors' Blandi Nicholas, from left, Fabian Monzon, and Orlando Gaona practice on Nike's campus Friday in preparation for a game Saturday night vs. the Portland Timbers at PGE Park.
The Boca Juniors are weary of playing the role of polite guests.
The Argentine club has played two of its three exhibition soccer games in the United States and has lost both games. They would like to end their U.S. tour with a win against the Timbers Saturday night at PGE Park (7 p.m.).
"The team is going to be very motivated to win the game," Boca goalkeeper Josue Ayala said through an interpreter after the team practiced at the Nike campus near Beaverton Friday morning.
One of the most popular clubs in the world, the Boca Juniors are searching for their first win during their tour. Their most recent setback was a 3-0 loss against the Seattle Sounders Wednesday. They lost 1-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy Sunday.
Saturday night represents not only their last chance, but perhaps their best chance. The Sounders and Galaxy both play in Major League Soccer, while the Timbers play in the USSF Division 2 team Pro League.
"Every team wants to win," Boca coach Roberto Pompei said. "But we also want to show what type of play (we) can create, our players and what skill (Boca) has."
Returning to Argentina winless against teams from the United States isn't expected for a club with Boca's history – 18 international titles, 23 domestic league championships and having produced internationally known stars such as
Perhaps Boca can stomach losing to Major League Soccer teams such as the Galaxy and the Sounders. But losing to a Division-2 club that has been
? Well ...
"We want to redeem ourselves for the two losses — two hard losses on this tour," Ayala said.
The Boca Juniors will be without two star players — forward Martin Palermo is training with the Argentine national team for the
and Juan Roman Riquelme is out after knee surgery. However, the team will have defender Hugo Ibarra and midfielder Jesús Mendez on the field tonight.
"We watch those guys on television. Boca is one of those clubs that you follow," Timbers midfielder Brian Farber said. "They have players that everybody follows on an international level. Hopefully, we won't be in awe of them."
Boca just completed a disappointing Clausura (spring) season in Argentina's Primera Division, finishing sixth in the 20-team standings. The team is using the U.S. tour to not only field longtime veterans, but to also take a long look at some younger players as they prepare for the fall season.
"We want to get some of the young players who haven't played some minutes," Pompei said. "A coach can scout players to see who he likes and who he may play later in the season."
Notes:
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Portland midfielder Johan Claesson suffered a torn groin injury during the game against Montreal and is expected to miss four to six weeks. ... Defender Mamadou Danso (sore right hamstring) will miss the game. ... The Timbers resume league play with a home game against Carolina June 6.
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