Academy Update: Timbers U-16s go unbeaten in weekend matches, U-18s split results against Santa Cruz Breakers, De Anza Force

The Timbers U-16 Academy team continued its run of strong performances over the weekend with a 4-0 win over Santa Cruz Breakers U-16 and a come-from-behind, 1-1 draw against De Anza Force. Additionally, the Timbers U-18s tallied an impressive 5-0 win over Santa Cruz Breakers U-18s, before falling, 3-2, in a tight match against De Anza Force at the adidas Timbers Training Center in Beaverton.

Kicking off the weekend double header, the Timbers U-18s received goals from five different players to rack up their largest margin of victory this season in a 5-0 win over Santa Cruz Breakers U-18s on Saturday. Reid Baez (Salem, Ore.) put Portland ahead 1-0 in the 21st minute and Davis Chimento (Sherwood, Ore.) doubled the lead just five minutes later. Edson Martinez (Salem, Ore.) netted his second goal of the season in the 37th minute for a 3-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Josh Varon (Bakersfield, Calif.) put the Timbers U-18s ahead 4-0 in the 46th minute and Nick Evans (Portland, Ore.) closed out the scoring with a goal in the 70th minute.

On Sunday, the Timbers U-18s (4-11-2, 14pts) grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals from Baez and Nicholas Ballenger (Salem, Ore.) in the opening 16 minutes, but De Anza Force tallied three goals in the second half for the win. With two goals over the weekend, Baez leads the Timbers U-18s with nine goals in 17 appearances during the regular season.

For the Timbers U-16s, Jose Perez (McMinnville, Ore.) registered his team-leading 12th goal of the season to help jumpstart Portland to a 4-0 win over Santa Cruz Breakers U-16s on Saturday. Terrell Lowe (Pocatello, Idaho) netted a goal in the 42nd minute and Joe Corner (Salem, Ore.) tallied a brace with goals in the 71st and 80th minute. Corner’s seven goals ranks second on the team this season. Perez is tied for seventh nationally in goal scoring and ranks fourth in the West Conference.

After falling behind by a goal in the first half of Sunday’s contest against De Anza Force U-16s, Blake Bodily (Eagle, Idaho) netted the game-tying goal for Portland (9-4-4, 31pts) just after the start of the second half. Bodily has recorded four goals in 17 games for the Timbers U-16s this season.

The Timbers U-16s continue regional play in the 2014-15 Generation adidas Cup with matches in Carson, Calif. Portland is currently in third place in the six-team standings with a 1-0-2 record (5pts) following the first regional matches in October 2014. The Timbers U-16s face the San Jose Earthquakes U-16s on Feb. 13, before taking on Chivas USA U-16s on Feb. 14 and Real Salt Lake U-16s on Feb. 16.

The Timbers U-18s and U-16s both return to regular-season action on Feb. 21 with a road match against Crossfire Premier. The Timbers U-18s are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. (Pacific), with the U-16s following at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Redmond High School in Redmond, Wash.