CAMAS, Wash. — Playing the majority of the match with 10 men, the Portland Timbers U-23s extend their unbeaten streak to four games with a 2-1 comeback win over Kitsap Pumas at Doc Harris Stadium in front of 2,678 fans on Saturday night.
Trailing 1-0 in 12th minute on a goal by Kitsap forward Pat Kelly, Portland (4-4-3, 15pts) was reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute after defender Matt Rose was shown a red card, but battled back to level the score just before halftime.
Midfielder Reed McKenna scored his first goal of the season for Portland, converting the rebound as a header by forward Kharlton Belmar hit the post and deflected off Kitsap goalkeeper Matt Grosey.
Belmar tallied the game-winning goal for the Timbers U-23s in the 77th minute on a set piece. Defender Hugo Rhoads lofted a free kick into the box and Belmar connected with the header, scoring his team leading eighth goal of the season and his sixth goal in the last four matches.
Portland finished the match with an 11-5 advantage in shots, while earning four corners to Kitsap’s one.
The Timbers U-23s finish their stretch of three consecutive home games on Tuesday, July 1 against Lane United FC at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Notes: Belmar has scored in each of the last four matches, including consecutive braces on June 15 and June 21 … The result ended Kitsap’s 14-match unbeaten run … McKenna scored his first goal for the Timbers U-23s… Rhoads tallied an assist for a second consecutive match … Portland’s regular-season finale originally scheduled for Sunday, July 13 has been rescheduled for Monday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).
