U-23s' Richards, Hurtado earn PDL Team of the Week honors

PORTLAND, Ore.– United Soccer Leagues has announced that Portland Timbers U-23s forwards BrentRichards and Erik Hurtado were named honorable mention on the Premier Development League Team of the Week for Week 9.

Hurtado scored two goals, including the late equalizer, and Richards logged two assists as the Timbers U-23s played the Washington Crossfire to a 3-3 draw at Sherwood High School on June 25. The pair helped the team pull level on two occasions during the match to earn its share of the points.

For Richards, who earned PDL Player of the Week honors in Week 3, it is his second inclusion on PDL Team of the Week’s honorable mention list, while Hurtado receives his first Team of the Week honors this season. Richards leads the team in scoring with four goals and five assists. Hurtado ranks second in goals scored with five.

After facing their busiest month of the season with six games in June, the Timbers U-23s (5-4-2, 17pts) get some rest this week with a break in league play. Portland currently sits in third place in the PDL’s Northwest Division behind the Kitsap Pumas (8-0-2, 26pts) and Victoria Highlanders (6-3-2, 20pts). The top two teams from each division advance to the PDL postseason.

The Timbers U-23s’ final stretch of the season begins Friday, July 8, as the team plays host to the Abbotsford Mariners in the first of two home games next week. The Timbers U-23s then face the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Sunday, July 10, in their final regular-season home game of 2011.

Portland will then have to continue its push for a third consecutive playoff berth with three straight road matches to end the regular season. The road stretch starts Saturday, July 16, at Victoria. The Timbers U-23s’ regular-season finale is Friday, July 22, at the North Sound SeaWolves.