PORTLAND, Ore.
– Forward Brent Richards scored twice and midfielder Tracy Hasson logged two assists to lead the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 3-1 win over the Washington Crossfire in their Premier Development League season opener at PGE Park on Saturday.
Richards tallied once in each half, midfielder Jordan Crasilneck scored his first of the season and goalkeeper Jake Gleeson logged four saves in his team debut to lead the Timbers U-23s (1-0-0, 3pts) to victory.
Forward Luke Ryan scored his first goal of the season, forward Kevin Forrest recorded an assist and goalkeeper Chris Blais recorded seven saves in the losing effort for the Crossfire (0-1-0, 0pts).
One of the highest scoring teams in the Northwest Division in 2009, the Timbers U-23s opened the season where they left off their inaugural campaign. Along with three goals, the team recorded 18 shots, including six from Richards and four from Crasilneck.
Richards put the Timbers U-23s on the board in the 39th minute. Midfielder Jarad vanSchaik started the play and pushed the ball up field to Hasson. He spotted Richards in the box and crossed the ball in. Richards headed a shot on frame, which bounced off the left post and looped its way over the goal line.
The Timbers U-23s doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time with a goal by Crasilneck. Inside the offensive third, forward Roberto Farfan connected with Crasilneck on a pass chipped over the backline. Crasilneck hit a low drive past Blaise to put the Timbers U-23s up 2-0.
Richards capped his brace in the 56th minute and gave the Timbers U-23s a three-goal advantage, 3-0. Hasson delivered a long cross that allowed Richards to get behind the Crossfire defense. With space, Richards collected the ball and calmly slotted it inside the right post.
Midway through the second half, Gleeson turned in a key save to keep Washington at bay. A Crossfire free kick from the left side found forward Alex Chursky in the middle of the box. He blasted a header on frame from six yards out, but Gleeson was able to knock it away with a diving effort. He then batted the ball away from the goal line and a Timbers U-23s defender was able to clear it away from danger.
Washington was able to pull one back in the 70th minute with a strike by Luke – second-half substitute. Former Timbers forward Kevin Forrest slipped a through ball from the right side to Luke, who was able to get by his defender. Luke then placed a shot around Gleeson, charging off his line, and into the back of the net.
The Timbers U-23s play host to the Tacoma Tide on Tuesday, May 18 in a special day game at PGE Park at 11 a.m. The match is part of the Timbers Health & Fitness Soccer School Day, presented by Providence Health & Services, featuring an informative assembly, skills demonstrations, autograph sessions with the Timbers first team and more. Tickets are $5 and are available at the PGE Park box office.
Notes:
The Crossfire featured two players with ties to the Timbers – midfielder Matt Van Houten played for the Timbers U-23s in 2009, while Forrest played in 10 games for the Portland Timbers last season.
Lineups:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Coelho (Cortes, 69), D Harms, D Granger, M Crasilneck (Drake, 59), M Hasson, M Evans, M vanSchaik (Braun, 74), M Ogunyemi (Abrego, 59), F Farfan, F Richards (Ramsey, 70)
WAS: GK Blais, D Keller (Luke, 45), D Finch, D Arena, D Quijano (Hopp, 45), M Klein (Kearns, 61), M Van Houten, M James, M Morris (Zeston, 79), F Forrest, F Chursky (Biggs, 77)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Richards (Hasson), 39
POR: Crasilneck (Farfan), 45
POR: Richards (Hasson), 56
WAS: Luke (Forrest), 69
