Sports

Portland Thorns, Timbers Announce Rosters For Ukraine Charity Benefit

The Timbers and Thorns will play a charity match with mixed rosters.

For the first time ever, the Thorns and Timbers will mix rosters to play a charity benefit for Ukraine refugees.
For the first time ever, the Thorns and Timbers will mix rosters to play a charity benefit for Ukraine refugees. (Portland Timbers Football Club)

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Thorns and Timbers have their rosters set for a charity match next Wednesday to benefit UNICEF. Money raised will go to assist Ukrainian refugees.

The teams are combining their squads and splitting into a blue team and a yellow team.

A draft was held Thursday in which the squads were picked.

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"Soccer is a universal and undying sport," Thorns forward Christine Sinclair, one of the co-captains, said recently when the match was announced.

"This is something that we've wanted to do as a club for years, and I couldn't think of a better reason. A match like this is one of its kind, and while this game will be entertaining no doubt, the focus is to provide relief for Ukraine."

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The match, which wil also be streamed, will be played at Providence Park next Wednesday at 6 p.m. While it's free, people are encouraged to donate to the fund. The Thorns and timbers will match a combined $100,000 in donations.

There will also be an online auction where fans can bid on game worn shirts and other other items from the match including the game ball.

Here are the rosters for two squads:

Team Blue

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