PORTLAND, Ore.
– Midfielder Roberto Farfan and forward Brent Richards each scored to help the Portland Timbers U-23s clinch the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division title with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency on Sunday at PGE Park.
The Timbers U-23s claimed their first division title in their second season in the PDL and will advance to the postseason for a second straight season. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Timbers U-23s sit in first place with a 13 point lead over the Kitsap Pumas in second.
Richards scored a goal in his fourth straight game, Farfan tallied his fifth goal of the season, goalkeeper Jake Gleeson earned his league-leading 12th win of the season and midfielder Bim Ogunyemi recorded two assists as the Timbers U-23s (14-0-0, 42pts) extended their winning streak to 14 games.
Midfielder Coulton Jackson scored a goal, midfielder Caleb Clarke logged an assist and goalkeeper Dan Pelc made three saves to lead the Whitecaps Residency (1-8-3, 6pts) as they continued a five-game stretch on the road.
The Timbers U-23s claimed the lead in the 10th minute, capitalizing on an error made by the Whitecaps Residency. Pelc handled a backpass by one of his defenders to set up an indirect free kick two yards inside the box. After a slight tap by Ogunyemi, Farfan drilled a low, slicing drive through the Whitecaps Residency wall and snuck into the back of the net.
Richards netted his 12th goal of the season to lift the Timbers U-23s to a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute. Ogunyemi initiated the play with a run down the left side and then delivered a pin-point cross to Richards inside the box. With just enough space, Richards controlled the ball with his chest and then laced a half volley past Pelc from 10 yards out.
The Whitecaps Residency pulled one back in the 64th minute. Putting the Timbers U-23s backline under pressure for a spell around the hour mark, Clarke beat his man down the side of the box and picked out Jackson on the far side. Jackson snuck in behind the Timbers U-23s backline and poked the ball past Gleeson; it was just the fourth goal allowed by Gleeson this season.
A pair of subs connected on the Timbers U-23s’ third goal of the afternoon in the 82nd minute. Forward Quinton Beasley set up the play with a hard-fought run down the left side. Parallel to the end line, he squeezed a centering pass between his defender and the goal post along the goal mouth. Forward Ricky Abrego fought off two defenders as he charged the ball and bundled it over the goal line for his sixth strike of the season.
The Timbers U-23s conclude the 2010 regular-season with a two-game road trip to face the Victoria Highlanders on Saturday, July 17 and the Kitsap Pumas on Sunday, July 18. The team’s playoff scenario will be decided upon the conclusion of the regular season.
Notes:
The Timbers U-23s held the Whitecaps Residency, one of several professional PDL clubs, to just six shots in the match; all six came in the second half … The Timbers U-23s finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0-0 record at home … With 12 goals on the season, Richards is tied for the league lead in goals scored with Orange County Blue Stars’ Amani Walker … Jackson’s goal for the Whitecaps Residency was the team’s first goal scored against the Timbers U-23s in the all-time series (four matches) … The Timbers U-23s are 4-0-0 all-time against the Whitecaps Residency.
Starting Lineups:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Granger, D Dugoni, D Kawulok, D Thompson, M Hasson, M Farfan, M Ogunyemi, M Braun, F Richards, F Ramsey
VAN: GK Pelc, D Gage, D Trafford, D Corbin-Ong, D Hutchings, M Tiebert, M Dosangjh, M Cobby, M Semenets, F Toure, F Edwini-Bonsu
Scoring Summary:
POR: Farfan (Ogunyemi), 10
POR: Richards (Ogunyemi), 54
VAN: Jackson (Clarke), 64
POR: Abrego (Beasley), 82
