Portland Timbers & Thorns to play historic mixed-teams match to benefit Ukraine
April 22, 2022
Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Portland Thorns are teaming up to host "PTFC For Peace" – a historic mixed teams, US first division charity match to raise funds for Ukrainian children and families affected by the war on April 27 (9 pm ET) at Providence Park.
Admission is free to the public with an encouraged donation. All donations, which will be matched by the club up to $100,000, will support UNICEF’s on the ground relief efforts in Ukraine. Seating is general admission and redeemable through ticketing platform SeatGeek with an option to donate to UNICEF USA while acquiring a ticket.
“Soccer is a universal and unifying sport, and as professionals, it’s important for us to use our platform for those in need and right now that’s Ukraine,” said Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair. “This is something we’ve wanted to do as a club for years, and I couldn’t think of a better reason to pull it off now than to raise money for an important cause. 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.”
Timbers midfielder Diego Chara and Thorns FC defender Kelli Hubly will co-captain one team, and Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair and Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco will captain the other team. Sinclair owns the world record for the most international goals scored. Blanco lived in Ukraine earlier in his career and played for FC Metalist Kharkiv. Yesterday, a live draft took place to select players for each team with final rosters posted on the club’s websites and social media.
“I always believe we are stronger together, and I’m excited to be able to play in a match that means so much more than soccer,” Chara said in a release. “This is an opportunity for us as players, as a club and as a city to help the people of Ukraine in an incredibly difficult time.”
The teams will play in a 60-minute full-field match. If tied after regulation, a shootout will determine a winner. The game will also be streamed on the club’s websites with additional broadcast details to follow ahead of the event.
“UNICEF is working around the clock to ensure those most impacted by the war in Ukraine are reached with the support they need at this critical time," said Michael J. Nyenhuis, UNICEF USA President and CEO. “UNICEF is delivering critical, life-saving supplies as well as psychosocial support to these children and their families and the organization is so grateful to supporters like the Timbers, Thorns and their fans who are making this work possible.”
Fans in attendance and those watching remotely will have various opportunities to contribute to their efforts and can visit www.unicefusa.org/PTFC to make donations. There will also be an online auction for fans to bid on game-worn shirts from the event and other items, including flags and the game ball at www.PTFC.givesmart.com.