PORTLAND
, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers U-23s play host to the first-place Kitsap Pumas on Saturday at Tualatin High School in Tualatin, Ore., at 6 p.m. Saturday’s contest features the top two teams in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division.
Tickets will be available at the door for $10; gates open at 5 p.m.
The Timbers U-23s (8-3-1, 25pts) enter Saturday’s match in second place, just seven points behind Kitsap in first. Portland is unbeaten (5-0-1) at home this season, including a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency at PGE Park last weekend. The Timbers U-23s have scored 23 of their 29 goals this season at home.
Kitsap (10-0-2, 32pts) has won six straight in league play and is one of the few unbeaten teams remaining in the PDL this season. One of four professional clubs in the PDL, the Pumas have one of the league’s top defensive units, having allowed just seven goals in 12 games – tied for the fewest in the league. Saturday will mark Kitsap’s second game in five days.
With a combined 62 goals, Saturday’s match also features the top two scoring teams in the Northwest Division.
In their previous meeting on June 6 in Kitsap, the Pumas took advantage of a red card issued to Portland defender Daniel Leach in the first half to capture a 1-0 win. On the ensuing free kick, midfielder Matt Friesen found the back of the net and handed the Timbers U-23s their first shut-out loss in team history.
The Timbers U-23s hit the road for a pair of games after Saturday’s match against the Pumas. Portland plays its PDL regular-season finale July 18 against the Abbotsford Mariners at Lincoln High School at 7 p.m.
The top three teams from each division in the PDL advances to the postseason, which starts with a divisional playoff.
Notes:
The Seattle Wolves, who currently sit in third place, are just two points behind the Timbers U-23s in the Northwest Division table. Seattle plays the Victoria Highlanders Sunday on the road.
