Participating in the Generation adidas Cup, Major League Soccer’s annual elite youth tournament, the Timbers U-16 Academy side opened group play this past weekend, facing Academy teams from D.C. United and Tigres UANL. In their opening group match on April 7, the Timbers fell 2-0 to Tigres after conceding early in the game, before allowing another finish deep in stoppage time.
Two days later, the Timbers responded strongly with a (4-3) win in penalty kicks against D.C. United on Sunday, April 9. Bryan Martinez scored the Timbers lone goal in regulation, as both teams headed into the penalty-kick shootout level at 1-1. Portland goalkeeper Broden Schull made two saves on two D.C. penalty attempts, allowing Lawson Sunderland to score the game-winning penalty to lead the Timbers to victory.
Portland closed out group play Tuesday with a closely-fought 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo. The Timbers' lone goal came from Andrew Nunez.
In the playoff rounds, the Timbers Academy faced the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC, falling to Orlando on penalties.
Additionally, a Timbers Academy U-12 team competed in the GA Cup down in Texas, playing six games. The team notched wins over Colorado and D.C. United. For the win against United, the U-16s were in attendance and cheered on their club mates.
#TimbersAcademy U-12s earned a 3-2 win today at the GA Cup, and got to celebrate this goal with the U-16 team. #RCTIDpic.twitter.com/RmH64hUik5
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 15, 2017
