Timbers' Alvarez, Saunders honored

PORTLAND, Ore.
- It was announced Tuesday that Portland Timbers' forward Byron Alvarez and goalkeeper Josh Saunders were named to the A-League Team of the Week for their accomplishments in two matches vs. the Calgary Storm in Week 11.




Alvarez received the nod for his game-winning "golden-goal" against Calgary on June 27 at PGE Park, which gave the Timbers a 1-0 victory.




It was Alvarez's fourth goal of the season and the third game-winner for the forward from Mexico City.




This week's mention was the second on the year for Alvarez, who was named to the A-League Team of the Week in Week 7 for his game-winning goal vs. Vancouver.




Josh Saunders was placed on the team in recognition of two shutout wins vs. Calgary on June 27 and 29. The two shutouts were the first two matches Saunders has played with the Timbers since being loaned to Portland for the remainder of the season from the San Jose Earthquakes.




Saunders, a Grants Pass native and Cal-Berkley graduate, was the first goalkeeper named Pac-10 Player of the Year, when he was chosen in 2002.




McKinley Tennyson is the only other Timber to be named to the team this season. Tennyson was honored in Week 5 for scoring two goals and dishing two assists in two wins over Calgary on May 12 and 14.