Miami FC to Host the MLS-Bound Portland Timbers
June 11, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, June 9, 2010- This Saturday evening, Miami FC will host the visiting Portland Timbers and USSF D-2 Pro League leading goal-scorer Ryan Pore as the Blues look to gain ground in the standings before heading out on the road. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium.
The Blues will travel to Texas to face the first-place Austin Aztex on June 19.
SCOUTING PORTLAND
The Timbers are coming off a 0-0 draw against the Austin Aztex on the road on June 9 as they finish a short, two-game road stint this weekend in South Florida.
The Timbers controlled what was a fast-paced opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Aztex 7-2 in the first half while creating a number of opportunities to get on the board.
Despite the Aztex attempts to break the stalemate in the second half, Portland managed to hang on and escape with a point against Austin. The Portland defense managed to neutralize Eddie Johnson and Jamie Watson, two of the league's top scores, as both combined for just one shot throughout the course of the match.
Despite going unbeaten in its first four matches of the season, Portland has struggled as of late and has not picked up a victory since April 29 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Their last two matches have ended in draws and they have lost three of their last six.
The Timbers have yet to win a match away from home and have gone 0-1-2 so far in games on the road.
Ryan Pore is the stalwart of the Timbers front line and is responsible for most of Portland's offensive production. The American midfielder has scored eight of Portland's 10 goals scored this season to go along with two assists. In addition to being the league's leading goal scorer, Pore is also first in the league in points with 18.
As a team, the Portland defense has been able to keep teams from scoring often, allowing eight goals so far this season, tied for the second fewest in the league.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blues fought to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace Baltimore at home on June 9.
After the teams exchanged goals early on in the first stanza to head into the half tied at 1-1, Palace forward Randi Patterson scored his second goal of the match just minutes into the second half to give his team an early edge.
Palace added another goal after a free kick taken from just outside the box by Lucio Gonzaga was driven into the net past a diving Patterson to give Baltimore a two-goal lead in the 80th minute.
Down two goals with ten minutes remaining, the Blues came out with a frenzied attack and it paid off in the 84th minute when a header by Ariel Germiniani made its way past the Baltimore goalkeeper to cut the deficit down to one goal.
Miami FC continued to put pressure and picked up the equalizer after Brian Shriver crossed a floater in the box over Palace defenders to Christian Gomez, who headed the ball into a wide open net to tie the score at 3-3.
Time would expire in extra and the Blues picked up an important point to keep pace in the USSF D-2 standings.
GOMEZ CONTINUES TO SHINE
The crucial goal by Gomez in the waning moments of the game against Palace helped the midfielder climb further up in the league leader boards in a number of categories.
Gomez now has four goals on the season, tied with teammate Paulo Jr. for a team-high. Both are tied for fifth in the league in the scoring category as they continue to prove that they are one of the top duo-threats in the league.
The midfielder is now tied for third in the league in points with 11 while remaining in sole possession of second place in assists with three. He trails Martin Nash of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who has four.
Paulo Jr. has 10 points and is in sole possession of sixth place in that category.
Paulo Jr. has tallied two assists each on the year and is tied for third in the league in that category, just behind Gomez.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 11, 2010
- Impact Faces Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Home Teams for 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round Matches Determined - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC to Host the MLS-Bound Portland Timbers - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps FC Face Austin Aztex in Texas on Saturday - Vancouver Whitecaps
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