PORTLAND
, Ore.
-
First-half goals by midfielder
Jordan Crasilneck
, defender
Josh Brown
, and forwards
Ryan Youngblood
and
Frankie Lopez
led the Timbers U-23s to a 5-0 victory over the Abbotsford Mariners on Saturday night at Lincoln High School Stadium.
With tonight’s victory, the Timbers U-23s closeout their regular season unbeaten at home and will host the first-round of playoffs on Thursday, July 23, at PGE Park against the Seattle Wolves. Portland also moves into second place of the Northwest Division with 35 points.
Youngblood ignited the scoring early for the Timbers U-23s off of a ball from midfielder
Jarad vanSchaik
. Crasilneck added another for Portland in the 21st minute when he tucked the ball just under the crossbar pushing the Timbers U-23s ahead 2-0. The first-half scoring rounded out with Lopez and Brown each scoring their second goals of the season, giving Portland a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Portland’s defense held Abbotsford to three shots on the night and the Timbers U-23s recorded its fifth shutout of the season. Forward
Steven Evans
also tallied his first goal of the season to aid in the victory.
Youngblood scored his 11th goal of the season in the 6th minute off of a pass from vanSchaik. Youngblood took a touch and volleyed the ball into the upper left corner putting Portland a head 1-0.
The Timbers U-23s struck again in the 21st minute when Crasilneck collected a loose ball at the 25-yard mark. Crasilneck had time to settle the ball and drive the ball into the goal.
Lopez continued the scoring just minutes later when he dribbled the ball from the outside wing into the middle of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot to the lower right corner.
The first-half scoring ended in the 36th minute when Brown tapped in a goal after Abbotsford goalkeeper
Kris Johannson
saved a Portland corner but, was unable to hold onto the ball. The ball fell to Brown who easily finished the goal.
Portland’s final goal of the night came late in the second-half when midfielder
Gemechu Abraham
crossed a ball to Evans who finished the ball just inside the six-yard box to the bottom left side netting.
Next, the Timbers U-23s will play host to the Seattle Wolves in the first-round of the Premier Development League playoffs on July 23 at PGE Park. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. followed by the Timbers first team hosting Puerto Rico at 7 p.m. Ticket information to be announced at a later date.
Notes
: Portland took 33 shots against Abbotsford …The Timbers U-23s have tallied 43 goals this season the most in the Northwest Division … Goalkeeper
Patrick McLain
earned his first start of the season and his first shutout. McLain was added to the Timbers U-23s roster earlier today.
LINEUPS:
POR: GK Patrick McLain, D Sterling Flunder (Abraham, 66), D Miguel Guante, D Josh Brown (Warner, 45), D Kipp Erskine, M Jordan Crasilneck, M Tracy Hasson (Farfan, 61), M Masaki Hemmi (Shergill, 63), M Jarad vanSchaik (Evens 58), F Ryan Youngblood, F Frankie Lopez
ABB: GK Kris Johannson (Smith, 58), D James Giebelhaus, D Brad Peetoom, D Bront Wantke, D Adam Plantinga, M Simon Grocher, M Robbie Fadden, M Sasa Plavsic (Bardlsey,58), F Brenden Podolsky, F Adrian Kokec
