LACEY, Wash. - Playing their final game of a four-match road trip, the Portland Timbers U-23s topped Seattle Sounders FC U-23s 2-1 for their first win of the 2016 PDL campaign on Sunday afternoon at North Thurston High School in Lacey, Wash.
Midfielder Daniel Johnston and defender Dakota Barnathan both tallied second-half goals for Portland, with midfielder Sam Brown assisting on both finishes.
The Timbers U-23s (1-3-3, 6pts) opened the scoring in the 60th minute when Johnston converted a long-range attempt from well outside the box. With his back to goal, Johnston evaded an oncoming Seattle defender before unleashing his right-footed strike into the top left corner to build a 1-0 lead for Portland.
Sounders FC U-23s (2-2-0, 6pts) leveled the score in the 62nd minute after a Portland clearance was dumped back into the box by Seattle, which was then redirected to the far post.
In the 81st minute, Barnathan tallied the winner for Portland with a nifty finish inside the box. After a Portland corner kick was cleared away, Brown lofted the ball back into the six-yard box toward Barnathan, who back-heeled the ball past the outstretched goalkeeper.
Portland returns home from their four-match road trip to face Kitsap Pumas at Friday, June 10 at Sparks Field; Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Timbers U-23s Starting Lineup:
GK Leifhelm, D Schultz, D Fox, D Barnathan. D De Vera, M Fives, M Brown, M Johnston, M Sanchez, M Jellah, F Mueller
