Timbers U-23s defeat Lane United FC, 3-0, in friendly

EUGENE, Ore. — Forward Jaime Velasco recorded a goal and an assist, and the Portland Timbers U-23s beat start-up club Lane United FC 3-0 in a friendly Thursday at South Eugene High School.

The game was billed as a friendly, but took on another dimension when the Premier Development League announced earlier in the day that Lane United FC would join the Timbers U-23s in the Northwest Division of the PDL in 2014.

Lane United FC will join the Timbers U-23s as the second of only two teams in the Northwest Division based in the state of Oregon.

On Thursday, the Timbers U-23s went up early on Lane United FC, as defender Anthony Hobbs scored on a corner kick from forward Reed McKenna in the seventh minute of play.

The Timbers U-23s scored their second goal on a corner as well, as Velasco struck for a goal off a corner from forward Reinaldo Brenes in the 51st minute.

Timbers U-23s forward Anthony Macchione, also a member of the Timbers U-18 Academy, then capped the team’s scoring with a goal in the 80th minute off a through ball from Velasco.

Goalkeeper Paul Blanchette played the full 90 minutes to record his first shutout with the Timbers U-23s across all competitions this season.

The Timbers U-23s will now enter the postseason as the team plays host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23s Tuesday in a PDL divisional playoff game. The Timbers U-23s will host the game at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, Wash., with kickoff set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). The winner will advance to the Western Conference Championships.