After two straight home games, the Portland Timbers Reserves will play on the road against the Chivas USA Reserves on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at The Home Depot Center.
The Timbers Reserves have lost two straight games, the latest a 2-1 loss against the LA Galaxy Reserves on June 2 at JELD-WEN Field. After the Galaxy jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first half, Timbers midfielder Eric Alexander converted a penalty kick in the 69th minute to cut the lead to 2-1. But it was not enough as LA held on for the win.
Chivas USA’s Reserves are coming off a 3-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves on June 8. Chivas USA received two goals from midfielder Paolo Cardozo, as well as a goal by midfielder Miller Bolaños as the team was up 3-0 before giving up a goal to the Earthquakes’ Shea Salinas in the 82nd minute.
Here are some players to look out for ahead of the clash with Chivas USA on Monday morning:
Portland
Charles Renken - The rookie midfielder (above) has made an impressive first impression in the MLS Reserve League this season. Renken started the first three games for the Timbers Reserves this year, and he leads the team with his two assists, both of them coming against Vancouver on April 22. Originally from Zambia, Renken moved to Illinois in 2003, and has represented the United States at the U-14, U-15, U-17, and U-20 levels.
Jake Gleeson – While he’s been on international duty with New Zealand for the last few weeks, Gleeson has gained valuable experience while playing in the OFC Nations Cup. Portland’s fellow goalkeeper Joe Bendik has gotten the nod in most of the Timbers Reserves games this year due to Gleeson's international absences and earlier injury. But if Gleeson does play against the Chivas USA Reserves, expect him to be busy, as Chivas’ Reserves have scored 11 goals in just four matches this season.
Chivas USA
Paolo Cardozo – The 2011 SuperDraft first round pick, who was traded to Chivas USA in exchange for David Júnior Lopes in April, burst on to the scene against the San Jose Reserves on June 8, scoring two goals and setting up a penalty kick for Miller Bolaños in the 3-1 win. While the 23-year-old has appeared in only three Chivas USA first-team matches in 2012, he did play in 17 games with the Galaxy in 2011, including eight starts.
Cesar Romero – Romero has started three of four Chivas USA Reserves matches this year, and the 22-year-old forward has been highly impressive. In total, Romero has scored four goals and has tallied an assist in the MLS Reserve League this season, including scoring a hat trick in a 4-3 win against the LA Galaxy Reserves on April 2. Romero also scored the equalizer against the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves in second-half stoppage time on May 14, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Notes
- In two meetings with the Chivas USA Reserves in 2011, Portland went 1-0-1, including a 3-3 draw on the road and a 5-1 victory over Chivas’ Reserves at JELD-WEN Field in September of last year. Monday marks the first Reserves League meeting for the two teams in 2012.
- Portland’s Reserves have lost two straight games, marking only the second time in team history the squad has lost consecutive matches. The Timbers Reserves have never lost three straight games.
- The Timbers Reserves are currently fourth in the West Division of the MLS Reserve League, with a record of 2-3-0 (6 pts). Chivas USA Reserves are third in the West Division with a 2-1-1 record (7 pts).
