The Portland Timbers U-18 and U-16 Academy teams kicked off the 2014-15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season on Saturday, with each side tallying a draw and a loss during their opening weekend doubleheader at the adidas Timbers Training Center in Beaverton.
The U-18s opened the weekend with a high-scoring, 4-4 draw against Pateadores as Jacob Kempf registered two goals and an assist in the match. The Timbers grabbed a 3-1 lead in the opening 30 minutes as Kempf netted goals in the ninth and 23rd minutes, while Reid Baez tallied another marker for Portland in the 29th minute. Pateadores pulled even in the 55th minute, also benefitting from a penalty kick in the 51st minute before Peter Prescott provided the Timbers with the lead yet again in the 59th minute.
Late in second-half stoppage time, the Timbers were whistled for a back pass that was handled by the goalkeeper, giving Pateadores an indirect free kick inside the penalty box. The visitors converted, tying the match, 4-4, at the death.
ROSTERS:Timbers U-18 Academy | Timbers U-16 Academy
On Sunday, it was Baez with the brace for Portland and Kempf adding an assist as the Timbers outshot Strikers FC 20-12, but ended up falling 3-2 on an 87th-minute winner from the visitors.
For the Timbers U-16s, Joe Corner netted a goal in both matches on the weekend as Portland lost 3-1 to Pateadores on Saturday and earned a hard-fought, 1-1 draw on Sunday against Strikers FC.
Against Strikers FC Sunday, the Timbers U-16s went down a man midway through the first half as Ivan Cortes was issued a red card. Portland battled back and Corner netted the game-tying goal in the 72nd minute to help the Timbers grab a point from the match.
Other highlights from the weekend for the U-16s including goalkeeper Zach Nelson making his debut, and strong performances turned in by both Marco Farfan and Jose Peralta.
