Three Major League Soccer teams will be doing part of their preseason training at Oxnard College.
The expansion Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes and four-time MLS champion DC United will follow each other for training camps during February.
The Timbers arrive on Sunday for a 12-day camp through Feb. 10. San Jose begins a nine-day camp on Feb. 5 and DC United comes in on Feb. 16 for 11 days of training.
All three pro clubs are slated to play friendlies against the Ventura County Fusion, a Premier Development League team. The Timbers and Fusion meet on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Ventura College, and the DC United exhibition is at Oxnard College on Feb. 19 at 3:30 p.m. The San Jose match will be played behind closed doors.
Advance tickets for the two public matches are available at www.vcfusion.com. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there are family packs of two adult and two youth tickets for $22. Game-day prices will be $12 and $6.
DC United and Portland have players with local ties. Former UCSB star Chris Pontius is in his third season with DC United, and Rodrigo Lopez, of Santa Barbara, is trying to earn a MLS contract with Portland. He’s been part of the Timbers’ United Soccer Leagues team since August of 2009.
The camps also will see the return of two members of Akron’s national championship team to the area. Forward Darlington Nagbe was the top draft pick of the Timbers and midfielder/defender Perry Kitchen was the No. 1 selection for DC United.
good stuff Barry. always well informed. thanks