The Portland Timbers Reserves will host rival Seattle Sounders FC Reserves today in their season finale at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. PT.
The two Reserve sides played all the way back on April 10 in Tukwila, Wash., at the Starfire Sports Complex. Portland defeated Seattle 2-0 on that night in Reserve League play, with the Timbers Reserves receiving an own goal in the fourth minute and a goal by forward Bright Dike in the 23rd minute.
The Timbers lost to the LA Galaxy Reserves 4-0 on Monday, Sept. 10 at The Home Depot Center. The team has struggled since starting the season 2-1-0, and has gone just 1-4-1 since. Against LA last Monday, the team failed to score a goal for just the second time during the Reserve League season. Four different Galaxy Reserves players scored, and midfielder Landon Donovan and forward Pat Noonan each recorded a goal and an assist.
The Sounders Reserves (3-4-1, 10pts) are looking to continue their strong play after defeating the Chivas USA Reserves 4-2 on Sept. 9. Four Sounders FC Reserves players scored, and forward Mike Seamon tallied a goal and an assist to help rally Seattle to the victory after the squad was down 2-1 in the second half.
Here are some key players on both sides that could possibly feature as the Timbers Reserves wrap up their season:
Portland
Jose Adolfo Valencia – The club’s first Young Designated Player, Valencia could potentially make an appearance Sunday. The 20-year-old Colombian underwent knee surgery back in February, to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee. Valencia has continued to rehab for more than seven months since then. The forward most recently played for Colombian side Sante Fe in 2011.
Ian Hogg – Signed on Aug. 9, Hogg (above) made his first appearance in a Timbers kit in a MLS Reserve match on Sept. 10 against the LA Galaxy, starting and playing 71 minutes. Although only 22 years old, Hogg has a wealth of international experience, recently competing with Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and the New Zealand U-23 National Team in the London 2012 Olympics. The defender most recently played for Auckland City FC in New Zealand’s top flight.
Seattle
Sammy Ochoa – The second-year forward from Riverside, Calif. has been a major factor across all competitions in his time with the Sounders. In 20 games played with Seattle in two years, Ochoa has scored seven goals, including three goals in U.S. Open Cup play in 2012. In Reserve League play in 2012, Ochoa has scored three goals, including two in a 4-3 win over the Chivas USA Reserves on April 23. Ochoa also racked up a goal and two assists in a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy Reserves on Aug. 19.
Josh Ford – Ford, who is in his second year with the Sounders, has recently found success in the back of goal for Seattle’s Reserves. He has started the past two matches for the Sounders Reserves, both victories. Although he has yet to make a first-team appearance for Sounders FC in his career, Ford also started two Reserve League matches in 2011, winning one and losing one.
Game Notes
- This is the fourth all-time meeting between the Timbers Reserves and Sounders FC Reserves. Portland is 1-2-0 against Seattle in Reserve League play, beating the Sounders 2-0 earlier this year. Sounders FC Reserves won both meetings against the Timbers Reserves in 2011.
- The Timbers Reserves’ record currently stands at 3-5-1 (10pts), fifth in the West Division of the MLS Reserve League. Sounders FC Reserves have a record of 3-4-1 (10pts), tied with Portland for fifth in the division.
