TUKWILA, Wash. – First-half goals by midfielders Keith Savage and Tony McManus guided the Portland Timbers to a 3-2 win over Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC reserves in a training game Monday at the Starfire Sports Complex.
Savage, McManus and new striker Mandjou Keita each scored their first goals of preseason to help the Timbers open their sixth week of preseason with the team's second straight preseason victory. Portland owned a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Midway through the first half, the Timbers broke through when Savage slipped a rebound into the back of the net. Keita created the go-ahead scoring chance when his shot was stopped by Seattle goalkeeper Chris Eylander but the ball was deflected back into the box. McManus then tallied his first strike as a member of the Timbers just before halftime to build a two-goal lead for Portland.
Sounders FC fought their way back into the match early in the second half scoring a pair. But, Keita delivered what would be the game-winner before the halfway point in the second period and the Timbers would hold on for the win. Forwards Kevin Forrest and Ely Allen scored for Seattle.
Seattle marked the Timbers’ third MLS opponent during the 2009 preseason, previously playing against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 14 and New York Red Bulls on March 20.
The Timbers play their final preseason scrimmage on Saturday before starting the 2009 USL First Division season April 25 on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m.
Notes: Trialist defender Mamadou Danso made his second preseason start at central defender Monday … Portland’s three goals against Seattle marked its highest scoring output of preseason … the Timbers have a 2-1-3 record in preseason contests, including a 1-1-1 mark against MLS sides.
Starters:
POR: GK Cronin, D Nishimura, D Danso, D Knowles, D Hayes, M Savage, M Claesson, M McManus, M Pore, F Keita, F Suzuki
SEA: GK Eylander, D Karkas, D Wahl, D Ianni, D Brown, M Zakuani, M King, M Sturgis, M Nyassi, F Levesque, F Le Toux