CAMAS, Wash. - In a tight contest between the Portland Timbers U-23s and Seattle Sounders FC U23, the U-23s grabbed an early second-half lead but surrendered a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes, falling 2-1 in front of 1,523 fans on Saturday night at Doc Harris Stadium.
Portland held a 9-6 advantage in shots in the first half, creating several quality scoring opportunities in the final 15 minutes. Defender Peter Prescott delivered a header on frame in the 33rd minute that bounced off the crossbar, while a shot from inside five yards by midfielder Jordan Jones was cleared off the goal line by a Seattle defender in the 39th minute.
Goalkeeper Andrew Konstantino, who finished the match with fives saves, helped keep the Timbers U-23s in the match deep in first-half stoppage time, pushing a curling effort by midfielder Derek Johnson wide of the right post as the half came to a close level at 0-0.
Portland took the lead in the 52nd minute on a corner kick. Prescott connected from close range as his shot bounced off the right post and Jones collected the rebound, placing his shot into the top corner of the goal.
The Timbers U-23s came close to adding to their lead in the 62nd minute. Forward Benji Michel used his speed to get behind the Seattle defense, receiving a long pass from midfielder Foster Langsdorf. Michel did well to get around his defender and fire a shot on target, but the Seattle goalkeeper quickly came off his line to make the save.
Seattle leveled the score in the 71st minute as midfielder Adam Jones sent a lofted ball into the box for forward Guillermo Delgado, who sent a side-footed shot past a diving Konstantino.
Both teams pushed in the final 10 minutes for the game-winning goal. Konstantino reacted to a quick Seattle restart in the 80th minute, tipping a close-range shot over the crossbar, while Portland saw back-to-back chances saved from inside the box Michel and midfielder Josue Chavez saved by the Sounders FC U23 goalkeeper in the 89th minute.
Seattle tallied the game-winning goal in the 90th minute. Midfielder Brendan Zambrano dribbled down the left side before and found Jones open just inside the box. Zambrano slotted the ball to Jones who found space and Jones delivered a powerful strike into the back of the net to give Seattle the 2-1 win.
Up next, the Timbers U-23s square off against Lane United FC on Wednesday, June 29, at Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Timbers U-23s vs. Seattle Sounders FC U23
June 25, 2016 – Doc Harris Stadium (Camas, Wash.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers U-23s 0 1 1
Seattle Sounders FC U23 0 2 2
Scoring Summary
POR: Jones, 52
SEA: Delgado (Jones), 71
SEA: Jones (Zambrano), 90
Misconduct Summary
SEA: Criser (Caution), 67
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Konstantino, D Prescott, D Hume (Boateng, 61), D Gaines, D de Vera, M Ornstil, M Martinez, M Langsdorf (Thiaw, 78), M Werner (Michel, 45), M Jones (Chavez, 87), F Macchione (Hume, 45)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Partee, D Storm
TOTAL SHOTS: 15; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 5
SEA: GK Caldwell, D Bjornethun, D Criser, D Hanson, D Smith (Olsen, 51), M Peterson, M Granlund (Jones, 51), M Wheeler-Ominu, M Johnson (Zambrano, 87), F Aguinaga (Francisco, 72), F Delgado (Berkholds, 90)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Christensen, D Teupen
TOTAL SHOTS: 17; FOULS: 4; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 4
Referee: JJ Blodgett
Assistant Lucas Brooks, Andrew Salcedo
4th Official: Andrew Brooks
Weather: Sunny, 79 degress
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
