After tomorrow's América friendly, and ahead of Sunday's Cascadia Cup match, you'll undoubtedly need a PTFC fix. Well, you're in luck, because on Friday, July 8 the Portland Timbers U23 host Abbotsford Mariners in Camas, Washington.

Ricky Abrego's beard (and Ricky Abrego) in action against Washington Crossfire last month. Timbers U23 dropped 2 points in a 3-3 draw with the poor Crossfire, the latest disappointing result in a shaky title-defense season. Photo by Allison Andrews, SoccerCityUSA.com

Kickoff is set for 7pm at Doc Harris Stadium, home of the CHS Papermakers (alma mater of U23 stars Brent Richards and Nick Palodichuk, and one of the truly great scholastic nicknames). The match is being hosted by the Camas/Washougal Soccer Club; tickets are $5.

For a pregame taste, you can join the Northern Alliance (Washington-based Timbers Army) at Adams St. Bar & Grill (322 NE Adams St. in downtown Camas, across the street from the paper mill), starting at about 5pm.

Timbers U23 are currently in third place in the PDL Northwest Division, three points behind Victoria Highlanders, and a full 15 points behind undefeated division leaders Kitsap Pumas (with a game in hand on both). There are only five games remaining, and the kiddos - Bonsai, Saplings, whatever you want to call them - need your support to finish in second place and make the playoffs.

On top of that, this game is your last real chance to see the U23s this season: Sunday's game in Hillsboro (vs Whitecaps Residency) is the last home game of the season, and kicks off at 3pm, just as the Big Timbers game vs seattle will be ending. So thanks to unfortunate scheduling, this is the effectively the last chance Timbers fans will have to support the team unless they make the playoffs and host a game (neither of which is a certainty).

See you in Papermaking country!