The Portland Timbers will host Mexican first-division club
Monarcas Morelia in an international friendly Wednesday, July 3, at
JELD-WEN Field at 8 p.m. in the Timbers’ inaugural “Copa Verde.”

In “Copa Verde” (Green Cup), the Timbers have established a
new annual friendly competition in which the club will face a first-division
side from Mexico. Copa Verde signifies the sustainability of the Timbers’ local
initiatives through “Somos Timbers,” an outreach platform focused on Hispanic
youth development, education and health in the greater-Portland area. A portion
of the proceeds from Copa Verde benefit the Mexican Consulate of Portland’s IME
Becas program and scholarships in the local community.

Known simply as “Monarcas,” the Morelia team was founded in
1924, and recently has been a consistent contender in Mexico’s first division.
Monarcas captured their first top-flight title in 2000, winning the Invierno
tournament championship, and is a three-time league finalist, most recently
during the 2011 Clausura tournament. The club has earned a top-five finish in
four of the last seven tournaments dating back to the 2009-10 season.

Additionally, Monarcas has been one of the top clubs in the
region, competing in the 2010 Copa Libertadores as one of the few representatives
of Mexico in the prestigious South American club tournament. The club is a
two-time participant of the SuperLiga – a competition contested between top
clubs from MLS and Mexico from 2007-10 – winning the tournament in its final
season in 2010.

Monarcas makes a return to the Rose City after playing the
Timbers in a mid-season friendly July, 2008; the Mexican side won 2-0 at
then-called PGE Park. Monarcas will be the second Mexican side the Timbers have
faced in exhibition play since joining Major League Soccer in 2011!

Family and friends of Milagro will receive a $5 discount on
tickets by clickinghere and using the password MILAGRO. Click here to view
seating map.