MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers U-23s Top Whitecaps FC U-23 2-0

Published on May 23, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Second-half goals from defender Eric Miller and forward Reinaldo Brenes helped the Portland Timbers U-23s defeat division-rival Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 2-0 before 3,370 fans Thursday afternoon at JELD-WEN Field.

The 3,370 on hand for a Providence Health & Fitness Day at JELD-WEN Field was the second-largest attendance in the Premier Development League this season. Portland has drawn the two largest crowds in the league in 2013, with the team's Health & Fitness Day match on May 16 against Sounders FC U23 drawing 3,681 fans.

With a third straight win to open the regular season, the Timbers U-23s (3-0-0, 9pts) move into a tie for first place in the PDL's Northwest Division with Victoria Highlanders FC. Whitecaps FC U-23 (1-2-0, 3pts) remain in third place in the division.

After trading scoring chances in the second half, the Timbers U-23s broke through in the 63rd minute. A free kick from midfielder Jose Ribas was deflected away by a Whitecaps FC U-23 defender, and the loose ball fell to the foot of Miller just outside the penalty area. Miller drilled the half-volley past Whitecaps FC U-23 goalkeeper Simon Thomas for his second goal of the season.

The Timbers U-23s added a second goal 15 minutes from time, when a long cross by Miller found Brenes near the right post. Brenes, who had come on as a substitute in the 74th minute, calmly slipped the ball past Thomas to give the Timbers U-23s the insurance goal.

Timbers U-23s goalkeeper David Meves recorded three first-half saves to earn his second shutout of the season. Meves was tested from distance twice by Whitecaps FC U-23 midfielders Harpreet Lakhan and Gagandeep Dosanjh. Portland's defense held Vancouver to just two shots in the second half.

A late goal mouth scramble in first-half stoppage time saw the Timbers U-23s with a chance to take a lead into halftime. After a Whitecaps FC U-23 turnover, Timbers U-23s forward Clark Phillips sent a cross into the box which resulted in a blocked shot attempted by Ribas. The deflection fell to forward Jaime Velasco and his follow-up effort from just outside the six-yard box was sent over the goal.

The Timbers U-23s play host to North Sound SeaWolves FC on Friday, May 31, at JELD-WEN Field as part of their third and final Providence Health & Fitness Day of the season; kickoff is 11 a.m. (Pacific). Tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office and online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Notes: The match between the division rivals featured a combined 30 fouls, including 20 in the second half, and six cautions ... Timbers U-23s goalkeeper David Meves, midfielder Zach Barnes and defender Eric Miller played the full 90 against Vancouver, and have played every minute of the 2013 campaign ... Earlier in the day, Miller was named to the PDL Team of the Week. He will depart Friday to join the U.S. U-20 National Team for the upcoming Toulon Tournament in Toulon, France ... With the win, the Timbers U-23s are off to a 3-0-0 start for the second straight season ... The Timbers U-23s are 7-1-1 in the all-time series against the Whitecaps FC U-23 and improve to 16-5-0 all-time in matches played at JELD-WEN Field across all competitions.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 23, 2013


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