Timbers Defeat Necaxa Before 7,761 At Pge Park
May 10, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Brian Jordan's goal in the 46th minute gave the Portland Timbers a 1-0 international friendly victory against Mexican side Club Necaxa Elite in front of 7,761 Wednesday night at PGE Park. Jordan's goal, the first of his professional career, gave the Timbers their second home victory of the season.
Wednesday's match was the final stop of a five-game U.S. tour for Club Necaxa Elite and marked the first ever international exhibition against a Latin American side since the Timbers returned in 2001. Tonight's match was the first of two international exhibitions this season, as the Timbers will host Italian superpower A.C. Milan's U-21 team on June 9.
Jordan, an Oregon State University product, delivered the match's lone goal early in the second half. He capped a 40-yard run through the center of the pitch with a hard shot to the far post past Necaxa goalkeeper Joel Barba. Jordan, making his first professional start, tallied on his first shot as a Timber.
Necaxa had their best chance to equalize in the 58th minute when a Portland turnover produced a 3-on-1 counterattacking opportunity. Timbers' goalkeeper Josh Wicks rushed out to parry forward Hector Quintanar's point-blank effort and maintain his first clean sheet of the season.
Both teams nearly converted opportunities in front of goal in a scoreless first half. Jordan's half volley from eight yards out in the 13th minute, while defender Justin Thompson's header off midfielder Kiki Lara's corner kick floated just wide in the 38th minute.
Timbers goalkeeper Josh Wicks stopped several Necaxa scoring opportunities to record Portland's first clean sheet of the year. Wicks denied Quintinar's cross in the 37th minute and outraced the forward to through ball in the 85th. Wicks totaled four saves in all, including three in the second half.
Portland had a pair of chances to double the margin of victory in the final ten minutes of action as forward David Hague fired a shot off the crossbar in the 84th minute. Forward Jaime Ambriz's strong effort from just inside the area was speared by Necaxa back-up goalkeeper Pablo Gonzalez in the 87th.
Portland hosts USL First Division rival, the Seattle Sounders on Friday in a rematch of last Saturday's contest in Seattle, a contest the Sounders won 1-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Notes: Defender Justin Thompson, signed by the Timbers on April 24, started in his first appearance for the team. Timber midfielders Tom Poltl, Kiki Lara and Lawrence Olum as well as forwards David Hague and Jaime Ambriz all made their first starts of the season.
USL First Division Stories from May 10, 2007
- Sounders prepare for Cascadia Rivalry Weekend - Seattle Sounders
- Miami FC to play at Orange Bowl for first time - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Timbers Defeat Necaxa Before 7,761 At Pge Park - Portland Timbers
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