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Portland Timbers

Timbers Conclude Successful Camp in Arizona with Win over FC Tucson

February 8, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


TUCSON, Ariz. - Defender Hanyer Mosquera and forward Sebastián RincÃ"n each scored in the first half and defender Steven Evans tallied late as the Portland Timbers defeated Premier Development League side FC Tucson 3-0 in a preseason match Friday morning at Kino Sports Complex.

The victory over FC Tucson concluded the Timbers' 12-day training camp in Tucson, Ariz., and improved the club's preseason record to 3-1-0 over its four games in the Desert Friendlies. The Timbers return to Portland later today and will remain in the Rose City for the duration of preseason.

"I'm pleased that we performed well - we got results, we got guys minutes, we gained experience," said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter on the club's camp in Tucson. "We were down here together and we were able to become a more cohesive group; our chemistry is better. We had some time to bond and form a group. We got fitter, we got sharper. I saw some positive signs in the games, and, in the end, we also got three results out of four [games]."

Mosquera found the back of the net in the third minute, heading home the quickest goal of the preseason off a free kick by trialist midfielder Michael Nanchoff. A counterattack in the 31st minute, led by midfielders Kalif Alhassan and Sal Zizzo, set up RincÃ"n for a strike and a 2-0 Portland lead heading into halftime.

The Timbers added to their lead in the 86th minute on a hard-working play by Evans. The Homegrown Player had his initial shot from inside the box saved, but was able to get the ball back off the deflection and buried the third and final goal of the match.

Goalkeeper David Meves, Portland's first-round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft, played the full 90 minutes and made three saves, including a diving stop on a hard shot by FC Tucson's Milos Dragic in the second half, as the Timbers recorded a second straight preseason shutout.

The Timbers' next preseason match is Sunday, Feb. 17, against the San Jose Earthquakes at JELD-WEN Field at 5 p.m. (Pacific) in one of the opening matches of the Portland preseason tournament. Tickets for preseason tournament matches are available for purchase through the JELD-WEN Field box office and online at www.portlandtimbers.com.

Notes:

- The Timbers posted a second straight preseason shutout on Friday and have not conceded a preseason goal in 206 consecutive minutes.

- Through the first four preseason matches of 2013, the Timbers have yet to allow a first-half goal. In total, the club has allowed just two goals in first four preseason games (0.50 GAA).

- With the three goals scored Friday, the Timbers tallied seven total goals, all by different players, during their four matches in Tucson.

- Midfielder Sal Zizzo and trialist Michael Nanchoff recorded the Timbers' second and third assists of the preseason.

- The third-minute goal by defender Hanyer Mosquera was the quickest goal scored by an MLS Timbers player in preseason. Previously, the club's quickest MLS preseason goal was scored in the fifth minute by Ryan Pore on March 5, 2011, against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

- Defender/midfielder Rodney Wallace rejoined the club following national team duty with the Costa Rica National Team and saw his first preseason minutes for the Timbers, playing the entire second half.

- Additionally, Portland's RincÃ"n, Steven Evans and Supplemental Draft pick David Meves all saw their first preseason action of 2013.

- Eight players made their first preseason starts for Portland on Friday.

- FC Tucson was the second PDL club the Timbers have faced in preseason as an MLS side. The club's first-ever preseason match on Feb. 4, 2011, was against the PDL's Ventura County Fusion.

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