ABBOTSFORD, B.C –
Midfielder Roberto Farfan scored the game-winning goal and midfielder Freddie Braun recorded his fifth assist of the season to lead the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 4-1 win over the Abbotsford Mariners at Bateman Park on Saturday.
Farfan delivered his second goal of the season, forward Brian Ramsey scored his team-leading fifth goal, defender Taylor Thompson tallied his first of the season, Braun was credited with his team-high fifth assist and Crasilneck earned an assist in his second straight game to help the Timbers U-23s extend their winning streak to a team-record eight games.
The Timbers U-23s (8-0-0, 24pts) move back into first place in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division with the victory over the Mariners, which opened a two-game road trip in British Columbia this weekend.
Ramsey found the go-ahead goal near the 20th minute, heading in a cross from Crasilneck along the right side to lift the visiting Timbers U-23s to a 1-0 lead.
The Mariners (2-6-1, 7pts) were able to level the score late in the first half. A foul committed inside the box by a Timbers U-23s player set up a penalty kick for the home side. Abbotsford was able to convert from the spot to knot the score at 1-1. The penalty-kick goal was the first goal allowed by the Timbers U-23s since May 15 and ended a string of six straight shutout performances.
The Timbers U-23s erupted for three goals in the second half. Farfan broke the deadlock after the hour mark; he was assisted by midfielder Bim Ogunyemi. Forward Ricky Abrego buried his fourth goal of the season near the 80th minute off a pass from Braun to give the Timbers U-23s a 3-1 lead. Thompson then rounded out the scoring in the 88th minute; forward Brent Richards earn the assist on the Timbers U-23s’ final goal of the night.
Portland wraps up its road trip Sunday as it faces the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency at Simon Fraser University; kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Timbers U-23s face a third consecutive road match on June 30 against the Tacoma Tide before returning home July 3.
Notes:
Abbotsford midfielder Mike Riehl was sent off with his second yellow of the match in the 71st minute, giving the Timbers U-23s a one-man advantage for the final 19 minutes of the contest ... Both Crasilneck and Ramsey left the match in the first half due to injury ... Timbers U-23s made their first visit to Abbotsford since joining the PDL in 2009 ... Portland has scored three or more goals in six of its first eight games of the 2010 season.
Lineups:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Crasilneck (Thompson, 43), D Dugoni, D Kawulok, D Coelho (Drake, 55), M Braun, M Farfan, M Hasson, Ogunyemi, F Richards, F Ramsey (Abrego, 26)
ABB: GK Lucas, D Square-Briggs, D Farenhorst, D Passi, D Strelau, M Aburub (Mallett, 45), M Riehl, J., M Aziz, M Riehl, M., M Plantinga, F Rowlands
Scoring Summary:
POR: Ramsey (Crasilneck), 26
ABB: Aziz (penalty kick), 45
POR: Farfan (Ogunyemi), 78
POR: Abrego (Braun), 81
POR: Thompson (Richards), 88
