PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers U-23s embark on a two-game road trip this week to face the Victoria Highlanders Friday at 7 p.m. and then the Kitsap Pumas on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Timbers U-23s (4-1-1, 13pts) have won four of their last five games, including a 4-2 victory over in-state rivals the Cascade Surge on May 30 in their last contest. Led by leading scorer Brent Richards, the Timbers U-23s have scored 20 goals through six matches this season and rank second in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division.
Joining the Timbers U-23s roster is midfielder
Gemechu Abraham
. A native of Beaverton, Ore., Abraham, 18, attended Beaverton High School and was a member of the U.S. U-17 National Team pool prior to starting his collegiate career at San Diego State University in 2007. He participated in training sessions throughout the week and will travel with the team this weekend.
The Timbers U-23s and Highlanders meet for the second time this season on Friday. In their previous match on May 9, the Timbers U-23s rallied from behind on goals by
Jarad vanSchaik
and
Logan Emory
to earn a 2-2 draw in their first game in team history.
The Highlanders (1-1-3, 6 pts) sit in fifth place in the Northwest Division. Leading Victoria are forwards Steve Scott, the team leader in assists, and Cole McFarlane, who has scored two goals this season, including one against the Timbers U-23s earlier in the year.
Saturday marks the first of two meetings this season between the Timbers U-23s and the Pumas, one of two professional PDL team in the Northwest Division. Midfielder Anthony Kerr has scored four goals through five games to lead the Pumas (4-0-1, 13pts), the only remaining unbeaten team in the division.
