PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing their third game of the 2016 PDL season, the Timbers U-23s drew 1-1 with Victoria Highlanders FC in front of 6,575 fans on Providence Health & Fitness Day at Providence Park on Friday afternoon.
The Timbers U-23s (0-1-1, 1pt) leveled the match in stoppage-time behind midfielder Tim Mueller’s near-post strike after Highlanders FC received a goal from forward Chris Rushworth in the 86th minute.
Outshooting Highlanders FC (1-1-1, 4pts) 8-6 in the first-half, Portland created several opportunities in front of goal, nearly opening the scoring in the 10th minute when defender Niko De Vera’s long-range strike from the left side dipped over the crossbar.
In the second half, Portland continued to threaten with a 59th minute attempt by Mueller, whose left-footed strike at the near post was parried away for a corner kick. In the first minute of stoppage time, it was Mueller who provided the equalizer for Portland. After being released from the midfield by defender Phil Fives, Mueller, who came on as a halftime substitute, continued his driving run toward the near post before powering his strike into the roof of the net.
Portland returns to PDL action with their second consecutive Providence Health & Fitness Day, squaring off against Lane United FC on Tuesday, May 24, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 11 a.m. (Pacific).
Scoring Summary
VFC: Rushworth, 86
POR: Mueller, 91
Lineups
POR: Partee, Barnathan, Fox, De Vera (Johnston, 66), Farjado, Herranz (Mueller, 45), Dee (Jellah, 63), Coffee (Alvarado, 66), Santos, Murphy (Martinez, 75), Brown (Fives, 45).
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 7
VFC: Watson, Redpath, Montgomery, Johal, Ravenhill, Hundal, Taylor (Bhandal, 70), Schneibli (Rushworth, 66), Stokes (North, 69), Prizeman (Popadynetz, 82), Sturrock.
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4
