Timbers Development Update: May 6, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers Academy teams had a successful weekend, with both teams earning results against the San Jose Earthquakes Academy and Cal Odyssey in home matches at the adidas Timbers Training Center.

Both the Timbers U-18 and U-16 Academy rebounded from recent losses to Washington Crossfire to earn a draw and victory, respectively, against the Earthquakes Academy teams Saturday. The two Portland teams each scored four goals Sunday in wins over Cal Odyssey.

The Timbers U-18s (10-11-6, 36pts) scored in second-half stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw against the Earthquakes U-18s on Saturday. After going down a goal in the 80th minute, the Timbers U-18s earned a penalty kick in the final moments of the match, and midfielder James Nosack (Ridgefield, Wash.) converted from the spot – his 11th goal of the season – to help the home side earn a share of the points.

On Sunday, the Timbers U-18s overcame an early goal to record a 4-2 victory over Cal Odyssey. Midfielder Foster Langsdorf (Vancouver, Wash.) recorded a brace, while Nosack scored his second goal of the weekend and forward Spencer Kleweno (Portland, Ore.) each scored for the U-18s, who sit in fifth place in the Northwest Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

After seeing a 10-game unbeaten streak come to an end against Crossfire on April 27, the Timbers U-16s got back on track with a 3-0 win over the Earthquakes U-16s on Saturday. Forward Ben White (Tigard, Ore.) scored in the 32nd minute, while midfielders Reid Baez (Salem, Ore.) and Jacob Kempf (Camas, Wash.) each tallied in the second half. Goalkeeper Joe Wheelwright recorded the shutout.

Against Cal Odyssey on Sunday, the Timbers U-16s (11-7-8, 41pts) received a two-goal performance by Niko De Vera (Washougal, Wash.) en route to a 4-1 win. Kempf tallied his second goal of the weekend and midfielder Jessie Garcia-Aguilar (Hillsboro, Ore.) also scored in the win. Goalkeeper Miguel Martin earned the victory for the Timbers U-16s.

With two wins on the weekend, the Timbers U-16 Academy sits in fourth place in the Northwest Division for their age group and remains in contention for a wildcard berth in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs.

The Timbers Academy teams finish the 2012-13 regular season on Saturday, June 1, as they play host to the Seattle Sounders FC Academy at the adidas Timbers Training Center. Kickoff for the U-18s is set for 1 p.m. (Pacific), with the U-16s kicking off at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Sixteen local teams crowned champions of Timbers OPL State Cup over the weekend
The finals of the 2013 Portland Timbers Oregon Premier League (OPL) State Cup took place on Saturday at the THPRD Howard M. Terpenning Sports Complex in Beaverton, Ore., with 16 club teams taking home titles in their respective age groups. The tournament featured eight different age groups from U-11 to U-18 for both boys and girls.

Several teams affiliated with adidas Timbers Alliance clubs finished among the winners and finalists. The Westside Timbers Boys ’01 Copa (Boys U-11), Eastside Timbers ’00 Girls Red (Girls U-12), Westside Timbers Boys ’99 Copa (Boys U-13), Westside Timbers Girls ’97 Copa (Girls U-15), Westside Timbers Boys ’96 Copa (Boys U-16) and Westside Timbers Boys ’95 Copa (Boys U-17) all won titles in their respective age groups.

Additionally, the Eastside Timbers ’01 Boys Red (Boys U-11), Westside Timbers Boys ’00 Copa (Boys U-12), Eastside Timbers ’97 Girls Red (Girls U-15) and Bend FC Timbers ’96 Boys (Boys U-16) were all finalists in their respective age groups.

State Cup Winners from the U-13 to U-17 age groups have the opportunity to advance to the US Club Soccer National Cup in Denver, Colo., as representatives of the Oregon Premier League. The Timbers and OPL announced a formal development partnership on May 1, 2012.