Timbers Development Update: Oct. 29, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers Academy teams play host to Crossfire Premier on Saturday at the adidas Timbers Training Center, playing their first home matches in almost a month. The U-18 teams for each club kick off at 1 p.m. (Pacific), while the U-16 squads take the field at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific).

The Timbers U-18s (1-3-2, 5pts) look to rebound from a recent 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake-AZ Academy on Oct. 20; the defeat ended the team’s three-match unbeaten run. 

The Timbers U-16s (2-0-4, 10pts) have opened their 2012-13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season on a six-match unbeaten streak and sit in a two-way tie for fourth place in the Northwest Division for their age group. 

The Crossfire Premier U-18s (2-1-1, 7pts) enter Saturday’s matchup riding a three-game unbeaten streak. Since their season-opening loss to Strikers FC, Crossfire Premier U-18s have recorded a pair of victories and a draw over their last three contests, and sit in fourth place in the Northwest Division. 

The Crossfire Premier U-16s (0-2-2, 2pts) are looking for their first win of the campaign. The team was handed a 4-1 loss by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 Academy in its last match on Oct. 20. 

Timbers announce annual club award winners at Stand Together Awards Banquet
The Timbers held their annual Stand Together Awards Banquet on Sunday, wrapping up the first team’s 2012 Major League Soccer season. As part of the banquet, the club handed out its annual awards to the Timbers U-23s and ODP Boys and ODP Girls players of the year for 2012. Click here for a full recap of the awards recipients. 

Earning the Timbers U-23s player of the Year was midfielder Steven Evans, who is having a standout junior season at the University of Portland this fall. The Timbers ODP Boys and Girls Player of the Year awards were awarded to Jose Benavides (’98) and Adrianna Hudson (’96), respectively. Additionally, Oscar Monteblanco was awarded the Timbers ODP Coach of the Year, while Janine Sparza was named the Timbers ODP Girls Coach of the Year. 

Timbers U-16s’ Rubin scores again, helps U.S. U-17 National Team to successful tour in Argentina
Timbers U-16 Academy forward Rubio Rubin played a key role in a successful tour in Argentina for the U.S. U-17 National Team that ended last week. Rubin played in all four games, scoring three goals to help the team finish the tour with a 2-1-1 record. 

The tour in Argentina included two matches as part of the Four-Nations Tournament. Rubin scored in both games of tournament, contributing to a 5-1 win over Chile on Oct. 24 and providing the U.S. U-17 National Team’s lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Argentina on Oct. 26. 

Overall, Rubin, from Beaverton, Ore., scored in four straight matches for the U.S. U-17 National Team from Oct. 6-26, and has found the back of the net in five of his last nine appearances for the team.