BREMERTON, Wash. – In a physical affair that saw eight yellow cards and 32 fouls combined, the Portland Timbers U-23s fell 3-0 to the Kitsap Pumas on Saturday night at Gordon Park Field in Bremerton, Wash.
Kitsap (1-0-2, 5pts) took the lead in the 30th minute as forward Miguel Gonzalez converted the game-opening goal on a shot from inside the penalty box off an assist from midfielder Patrick Kelly. The Pumas doubled their lead after the referee gave a penalty kick for a foul in the penalty box just minutes after the opening goal. Despite Timbers U-23s goalkeeper Justin Luthy saving the initial attempt, the penalty kick had to be retaken after the referee called it back for encroachment. On the second attempt, Joaquin Rivas converted the chance in the 34th minute.
The Timbers U-23s, playing the second of consecutive road matches, (0-1-2, 2pts) forced Kitsap goalkeeper Matt Grosey into two quick saves to start the second half. Defender Kyle Fisher turned a header on frame in the 59th minute, forcing another save from Grosey.
Kitsap added its final goal of the match in the 76th minute as substitute forward Michael Chamberlain headed in a corner kick from midfielder Jesus Sanchez.
Portland and Kitsap committed 16 fouls each, while Kitsap was issued four yellow cards in the physical match. Timbers U-23s midfielder Fatai Alashe was sent off in the 90th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
The Timbers U-23s finished with a 7-5 advantage in shots, forcing Grosey to make six saves.
Notes: Saturday’s match marked the first of two regular-season meetings between Portland and Kitsap … The setback was just the second all-time road loss for the Timbers U-23s at Kitsap in all competitions since 2009 (2-2-4) … Portland’s streak of four straight unbeaten games against Kitsap was snapped with the loss on Saturday … Forward Miguel Aguilar and Sam Gainford finished with a team-high two shots each … Goalkeepers Justin Luthy (first half) and Brendan Moore (second half) split time in goal for Portland.
Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers
