PORTLAND
, Ore.
– Midfielder
Ryan Pore’s
goal against the Rochester Rhinos on Aug. 15 was named the Timbers 2009 Goal of the Year, it was announced today. After a week-long vote at portlandtimbers.com, Pore’s road tally was named by fans as the best goal of the season. Click here to view Pore's goal.
The goal by Pore, who scored 10 goals this season, came in the second half of the Timbers’ first-ever road win (4-1) in Rochester. Off a quick counter attack, forward Mandjou Keita set up Pore on a breakaway with a perfectly-placed pass over the Rhinos backline. On the run, Pore headed the ball down to his feet and set up for a shot from 15 yards out. He finished his run with a blistering shot into the top left corner of the frame past goalkeeper Scott Vallow stuck on his line.
In his first season in Portland, Pore recorded 10 goals and two assists in 23 matches and was named to the USL First Division All-League First Team. A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Pore set a new modern-franchise record, scoring in six straight games from Aug. 1-22. He also became just the seventh Timbers player to score 10 or more goals in a single season since 2001.
Other finalists for Timbers 2009 Goal of the Year honors include:
Alex Nimo
(Aug. 8 vs. CHB),
George Josten
(Sept. 17 vs. CLE),
Mandjou Keita
(Aug. 22 vs. MIA) and
Brian Farber
(Oct. 4 vs. VAN).
