MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Reserves Defeat Chivas USA Reserves 4-2

Published on July 29, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Forward Bright Dike scored a hat trick to guide the Portland Timbers Reserves to a 4-2 win over the Chivas USA Reserves in MLS Reserve League play in front of 6,576 fans at JELD-WEN Field on Sunday afternoon.

Dike's three goals on the day led the way for the Timbers Reserves (3-3-1, 10pts) as the squad snapped a three-match winless streak with the win on Sunday. Chivas USA Reserves (3-2-2, 11pts) suffered just their second loss of the 2012 MLS Reserve League season.

Portland also received a goal from midfielder Sal Zizzo, while Chivas USA forward Tristan Bowen and midfielder Marco Delgado scored for the visiting side in an offensive showcase between the two teams.

Chivas USA Reserves took the early lead off a header by Bowen in the 17th minute. Rookie forward Casey Townsend crossed the ball into the box from the right side, finding Bowen directly at the penalty spot. Bowen's header beat Timbers goalkeeper Joe Bendik and made the score 1-0.

Dike's two first-half goals came just a minute a part. The equalizing goal came in the 27th minute, when midfielder Kalif Alhassan won the ball from a Chivas USA defender just outside the box and found a streaking Dike near the penalty area. Dike fired it past Chivas USA goalkeeper Tim Melia to make the score 1-1. Less than a minute later, Dike struck again. Defender Rodney Wallace left the ball for forward Mike Fucito near the left side of the box, and Fucito found Dike in front of goal. Dike tapped it in for his second goal of the match, giving Portland a 2-1 lead.

The Timbers Reserves added a third goal in the first-half in the 37th minute. Zizzo received the ball in the box from Alhassan, but his first shot was saved by Melia. The ball popped in the air, and Zizzo beat Melia to the deflection, heading it in to make the score 3-1.

The Chivas USA Reserves drew one back just before the halftime whistle to cut the halftime score to 3-2. Midfielder Laurent Courtois found midfielder Marco Delgado just outside the box. Delgado took one touch and fired a shot on goal. It deflected off Timbers defender Lovel Palmer and beat the outstretched arms of Bendik just inside the left post.

Dike wrapped up his hat trick in the 56th minute. The forward dribbled the ball around his Chivas USA defender, leaving him in a one-on-one with Melia. Dike fired from just inside the box and past Melia to seal the victory for the Timbers Reserves and to make the final score 4-2.

The Timbers Reserves will play host to the San Jose Reserves at JELD-WEN Field on Sunday, Aug. 26; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific).

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 29, 2012


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