Thorns, Timbers Play UNICEF Charity Match, Raise More Than $500,000

PORTLAND, OR — It was the definition of "all for a good cause."

The Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League and their brothers, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, took to the pitch Wednesday night in an unusual match for charity.

The two teams mixed players and broke into two squads – Team Yellow and Team Blue – for a charity event to benefit UNICEF's work aiding Ukrainian refugees (yellow and blue are the colors of the Ukrainian flag).

Team Yellow won the math, 4-3. More importantly, more than $500,000 was raised for UNICEF. Tickets were free but fans were encouraged to donate.

Perhaps the loudest applause of the night came when 17-year Vovo Kubrakov of Team Blue scored the match's last goal. Kubrakov, who was born in Ukraine, plays for the Timbers Academy U-19 team.

"It was a super cool experiences," Kelli Hubby, who was one of Team Blue's two captains said afterward. "The entire first half I was smiling and laughing the whole time."

Providence Park and the teams went all out to show their support.

There were Ukrainian flags in each of the four corners, Ukrainian-American singer Dark Dusty Stebivka sang the Ukrainian national anthem, a Ukrainian flag flew next to the United States flag and Ukrainian Sergii Demianchuk refereed the match.

"We have been talking about a co-ed scrimmage for years, Merritt Paulson, who owns both teams said. "We just needed the right catalyst to make it happen."

The teams donated a combined $100,000 in addition to what had been raised from fans.

People still interested in giving can go to www.ptfc.givesmart.com. In addition to accepting donations, the site has items from the game and other memorabilia being auctioned.