Timbers defeat Vancouver 2-0 in preseason play

TUKWILA, Wash. – With a pair of first half goals, the Portland Timbers defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in a preseason training game Friday afternoon at Starfire Sports Complex. The match wrapped up a two-day trip to Washington.

Friday’s game was the first to two training games this week for the Timbers as they conclude their fourth week of preseason training camp. 

Forward Doug DeMartin and trialist Bright Dike (DEE-kay) each scored for the Timbers in the first half; both goals were set up by midfielder Ryan Pore. The backline recorded its third shutout of the preseason as the Timbers improved their preseason mark to 3-0-1.

DeMartin scored his second goal of preseason in the 12th minute. Pore played a ball over the top from midfield to the top of the box. In a race with his defender, DeMartin was able to get a touch on the fifty-fifty ball and get around Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly, who left his line to challenge the play. DeMartin was able to put the ball away into an open net from 10 yards out. 

Dike doubled Portland’s advantage in the 41st minute. Again, Pore served a long ball from the midfield stripe towards the top of the box, this time finding Dike, who had pulled away from his marker. With Nolly near the edge of the box, Dike chipped a shot over the goalkeeper and the ball bounced into the back of the net. 

In the closing minutes of the match, Nolly was sent off with a straight red card due to an aggressive challenge outside the box to break up a Timbers breakaway in the offensive third.

The Timbers play their second training game of the week Saturday against the University of Portland in Portland, Ore. Week 5 of the Timbers’ preseason camp begins Monday, and includes a five-day trip to Bremerton, Wash. The Timbers begin the 2010 USSF Division 2 Pro League season Saturday, April 17, at PGE Park against the Rochester Rhinos.