TUKWILA, Wash. — Forward Bright Dike scored in the first half and goalkeeper Brian Rowe recorded four saves to earn the clean sheet as the Portland Timbers Reserves defeated the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves 2-0 in MLS Reserve League play at Starfire Sports Complex on Tuesday night.
An early own goal by Seattle and Dike’s first goal of the season allowed the Timbers Reserves (1-1-0, 3pts) to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. Rowe made three of his four saves in the second half and Portland’s defense held firm through nine corner kicks and nine shots by Sounders FC (0-1-1, 1pt) to claim their first shutout and win of the MLS Reserve League Season.
WATCH: Highlights from Reserve win
The Timbers Reserves received an own goal in the fourth minute to take an early 1-0 lead. A long throw in from the left side by forward Brent Richards found its way into the box. Sounders FC defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was able to get to the ball, but knocked it back towards his own net and in for the own goal.
Dike doubled the Timbers Reserves’ lead in the 23rd minute, finding the back of the net on a hard-working play inside the box. A long ball played forward by defender Steve Purdy was collected by Dike near the penalty area. Dike out-worked a Seattle defender inside the box and slotted a shot past Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Weber and inside the bottom far corner of the goal.
Portland’s defense held Seattle to just three shots, including just one on goal, in the first half. Rowe came up with one save in the first half, turning away a free kick put on frame by Seattle midfielder Servando Carrasco. But the Sounders FC Reserves found some rhythm in the second half and was able to generate nine of their 12 shots on the night in the frame.
After two clutch stops by Rowe in the final 20 minutes of the match, Timbers defender Ryan Kawulok made a key stop in the 85th minute, clearing off the line a bouncing shot by Seattle forward Sammy Ochoa that had slipped by Rowe.
The Timbers Reserves out-shot the Sounders FC Reserves 8-3 in the first half, and had two close chances in the second half on a header by Richards and a low driven shot by second-half sub Cam Vickers; both missed just wide of the target. Portland and Seattle each finished the night with 12 shots.
The Timbers Reserves play their third straight road match to open the MLS Reserve League season on Sunday, April 22, when they travel to take on the Vancouver Whtiecaps FC Reserves at Swangard Stadium; kickoff is set for 3 p.m. (Pacific)
Portland Timbers Reserves (1-1-0, 3pts) at Seattle Sounders FC Reserves (0-1-1, 1pts)
MLS Reserve League
April 10, 2012– Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.
Scoring Summary
POR: Own goal (Hurtado), 4
POR: Dike (Purdy), 23
Misconduct Summary
SEA: Ochoa (Caution), 88
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Brian Rowe, D Steve Purdy ©, D Ryan Kawulok, D Andrew Jean-Baptiste, D ^Brett Evans, M Sal Zizzo (^Cam Vickers, 46), M Freddie Braun, M Chris Taylor, M Charles Renken, F Brent Richards, F Bright Dike (Anthony Macchione, 86)
Substitutes Not Used: ^Chris Andre
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDE: 4; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4.
SEA: GK Andrew Weber (Bryan Meredith, 24), D Andrew Duran (Cordell Cato, 60), D Jhon Kennedy Hurtado ©, D Daniel Steres, D Marc Burch, M Alex Caskey, M Servando Carrasco, M Andy Rose, M Christian Sivebaek (Jordan Schweitzer, 83), F Eddie Johnson (Michael Seamon, 46), F Sammy Ochoa
Substitutes Not Used: Michael Gallagher, Austin Sweeney, Ike Crooke
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 9; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 3.
^ indicates guest player/trialist
indicates academy player
Referee: William Niccolls
Referee's Assistants: Timon Berry; Chipalo Street
4th Official: Josh Wilkens
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-64-degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
