SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s sustained just their second loss of the 2015 Premier Development League (PDL) season, conceding two goals early in the second half of a 2-0 loss against Lane United FC at Willamalane Center in Springfield, Ore., on Friday night.
Following a scoreless first half, the Timbers U-23s (6-2-3, 21pts) conceded the opening goal in the second half as midfielder Jordan Jones converted a sharp cross in the box from Matthias Binder in the 54th minute to give Lane United (2-6-2, 8pts) a 1-0 lead in the match. Friday’s loss snapped Portland’s unbeaten streak at seven consecutive games (4-0-3) dating back to June 2.
Lane United doubled its lead in the 58th minute when forward Timmy Mueller finished off a rebound from close-range after Jones collided with two Portland defenders in the box.
Portland and Lane United split their regular-season (1-1-0), as the Timbers U-23s previously earned a 2-0 win over Lane United in Portland’s PDL season-opening game on May 14 at Providence Park. Despite the loss, the Timbers U-23s have conceded just eight goals through 11 matches this season, which ranks tied as the eighth-fewest goals allowed among the PDL’s 63 teams.
The Timbers U-23s finished the match with seven shots, including three on goal. Looking to cut into the second-half deficit, midfielder Romilio Hernandez saw a strong volley from the top of the penalty box strike the crossbar in the 67th minute, while substitute forward Anthony Macchione forced Lane United goalkeeper Matt Bersano to parry a well-struck shot over the crossbar from close range later in the half.
Following Friday’s match, the Timbers U-23s conclude their 2015 PDL regular-season schedule against the Kitsap Pumas at Gordon Field in Bremerton, Wash., on Wednesday, July 8; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Scoring Summary
LUFC: Jones (Binder), 54
LUFC: Mueller, 58
Misconduct Summary
LUFC: Anderson (Caution), 32
LUFC: Hurtado (Caution), 60
LUFC: Luis Ferrandis (Caution), 63
POR: Hernandez (Caution), 75
POR: Lewis (Caution), 79
Lineups
POR: GK Eric Dick, D Nathan Smith (De Vera, 84), D Dennis Castillo (Lewis, 38), D Dakota Barnathan, D Cory Brown (Sperber, 84), M Todd Wharton ©, M Romilio Hernandez, M James Moberg (Gaines, 75), M Jesse Garcia-Aguilar, F Ben White (Werner, 56), F Foster Langsdorf (Macchione, 62)
Subs Not Used: GK Auden Schilder
LUFC: GK Matt Bersano, D Brendan Anderson (Hurtado, 43), D Cristian Luis Ferrandis, D Jonathan Stadler, D Amer Sasivarevic (Chubbfertal, 46), M Dirk van der Velde (Couto, 84), M Alejandro Pantoja (Fernandez, 79), M Josep Baldovi (Cataluna, 84), M Daley Stevens (Binder, 46), F Jordan Jones, F Timmy Mueller
Subs Not Used: GK Lowrimore
Referee: Andrew Brooks
Assistant Referees: Andrew Deuker, Ian Miller
4th Official: Bennett Savage
