HILLSBORO, Ore.
– Forward Brent Richards scored in his second straight game and midfielder Freddie Braun logged two assists as the Portland Timbers U-23s defeated the Kitsap Pumas 3-0 at Hare Field on Saturday. Portland extends its winning streak to six games.
Both teams entered the match with unbeaten records and were tied for first place in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division. The Timbers U-23s handed the Pumas their first loss and shutout of the 2010 campaign, and move into sole possession of first place in the division with the victory.
Richards scored his fourth goal of the season, Braun assembled his first multiple-assist performance, forward Brian Ramsey tallied his third goal and midfielder Roberto Farfan logged an assist to lead the Timbers U-23s (6-0-0, 18pts) to a team-record sixth straight win.
Anchored by goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, the Timbers U-23s defense held the Kitsap, which leads the league in scoring with 16 goals, to just eight shots in the match. The clean sheet against the Pumas (5-1-0, 15pts) marked the fifth consecutive shutout for the Timbers U-23s, who have now logged 471 straight minutes without allowing a goal.
The Timbers U-23s claimed the lead in the 26th minute, scoring just the second goal on the Pumas backline this season. Starting from the back, the buildup went through Farfan in the midfield and he played a well-timed through ball to Richards attacking the area. Richards created space from two defenders at the top of the box and curled a low shot around Kitsap goalkeeper Dustyn Brim, off the left post and into the back of the net.
Ramsey doubled the Timbers U-23s’ lead in the 50th minute. Braun won possession of the ball behind the midfield stripe and initiated the play forward. After a series of passes, Braun received the ball back along the left side. With runners heading into the box, Braun crossed the ball to the back side. It landed at the feet of Ramsey and he punched it in from on the doorstep.
The Timbers U-23s capped the scoring in the 80th minute, with Abrego capitalizing on a one-on-one chance with Brim. Braun played the ball over the top from midfield, which sprung Abrego on a run into the offensive third. Abrego beat his defender to the ball, settled it and then worked around Brim before slotting the ball into the back of the net to seal the 3-0 victory.
The Timbers U-23s frontline of Richards and Ramsey caused problems for Kitsap in the first half, helping the home side gain an 8-2 advantage in shots. In the sixth minute, Richards had a shot from 12 yards deflected up into the air. Brim was able to recover and secure the ball from bouncing over the goal line.
Ramsey had a quality chance in the 42nd minute. Inside the box, Richards linked up with Ramsey as he charged towards the right post. Under pressure, he pushed a rolling shot wide of the right post.
The Pumas were able to work the ball into the offensive third and penetrated the box on multiple occasions during the first half, but were unable to find quality chances on frame. In the second half, Kitsap started to connect and found scoring opportunities.
In the 46th minute, the Pumas assembled one of their best chances of the night on a cross into the box by midfielder David Gray. His ball from deep down the left side found midfielder Cameron Hepple on the right stick with space. Hepple’s header bounced wide of the near post.
Hepple had another chance to put the Pumas on the board in the 73rd minute. A long throw in from the left side worked its way across the box to the midfielder on the far side. Hepple’s side-winding kick deflected off the back of Timbers U-23s defender Brock Granger and out of play.
In the second half, the Timbers U-23s were more conservative on offense, choosing their moments to push forward. Late in the half, Abrego was fouled to set up a dangerous free kick by midfielder Jordan Crasilneck just outside the left side of the box. His shot on frame was stopped with a diving effort from Brim.
In the 90th minute, second-half sub Michael Nielson played a through ball up the middle of the park to send Abrego on another one-on-one chance with Brim. This time around, Brim was able to slow down Abrego. The Portland striker was able to regain possession and then drilled a shot on frame from the top left corner of the box. Brim pushed the ball wide of the goal with a great second effort.
The Timbers U-23s play host to the Yakima Reds in their next match on Saturday, June 12, at Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver Wash.; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
Notes:
In a physical contest, the two teams combined for 33 fouls, including a total of seven yellow cards … Gray and Hepple paced the Pumas with two shots apiece … Saturday’s match marked the fourth time this season in which the Timbers U-23s scored three or more goals in a single match … The two teams finish their regular-season series July 17 in Kitsap.
Lineups:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Dugoni, D Granger (Coelho, 86), D Crasilneck, D Kawulok, M Hasson (Nielson, 58), M Ogunyemi (Cortes, 82), M Braun, M Farfan (Abrego, 62), F Ramsey (Thompson, 74), F Richards (Drake, 87)
KIT: GK Brim, D Lee, D Scott, D Mohn (Fishbaugher, 62), D Wallace, M Gray, M Hepple, M Besagno, M Cascio, F Christner (Gordley, 86), F Phillips (Perdido, 45)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Richards (Farfan), 27
POR: Ramsey (Braun), 50
POR: Abrego (Braun), 80
